Geology of the Neruda quadrangle (H13), Mercury

We present the first geological map of the Neruda Quadrangle (H13), Mercury. H13 is in Mercury's southern hemisphere between latitudes 22.5 degrees S-65 degrees S, and longitudes 90 degrees E-180 degrees covering a total area of just under 5 million km(2), equivalent to 6.5% of the planet's surface. Map digitisation was carried out at scales between 1:300,000 and 1:700,000 for final presentation at 1:3,000,0000, from end-of-mission data products from NASA's MESSENGER mission. We distinguish three main photogeologic plains units: intercrater, intermediate, and smooth plains. We also distinguish all craters and their materials = 20 km in diameter based on their degradation state. We have completed two versions of the map, one using a three-class crater degradation scheme and one using a five-class crater degradation scheme. In addition, specific geological units were charted for the Rembrandt impact basin. This map has been constructed to provide context and targets for the ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission to Mercury.

Automated summary

We have created the first geological map of the Neruda Quadrangle (H13) on Mercury, which covers an area of approximately 5 million square kilometers in the southern hemisphere of the planet. The map was digitized using data from NASA's MESSENGER mission and includes three main photogeologic plains units, as well as the identification of craters and their degradation state. The map serves as a valuable resource for the upcoming BepiColombo mission to Mercury by providing context and target locations.