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A Thermal Model and the Hermean Hollows: Constraints on Plausible Volatiles Involved in Hollow Formation on Mercury
  • Michael Phillips,
  • Jeffrey Moersch
Michael Phillips
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jeffrey Moersch
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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Abstract

We propose a thermal-fluid system model for hollow formation. A subsurface heat source (typically impact-related) produces volatiles from LRM and drives them to the surface. Volatiles generated through heating of LRM are likely S and S-bearing gases produced by thermal decomposition of sulfides heated by the impact process. C-bearing volatiles, such as CH4 and other simple organics, and potentially fullerenes within LRM, may also be involved in proposed thermal-fluid systems responsible for hollow formation.