“The Effects of Crustal Thickness and Surface Temperature Variations on the Thermal State of Mercury’s Interior” par Aymeric Fleury (DLR)

In this study we coupled the presence of a mega regolith layer on Mercury with different models of crust distribution in our mantle convection code in order to quantify their effect on the heat flow through the silicate shell and the local elastic thickness during its thermal evolution.

Our results indicate that the surface temperature variations of Mercury are predominant on its surface heat flow pattern, and that crustal distribution as well as its enrichment create a more local and smaller scale effect.

Further studies on the exact age of formation of given geological features on the surface of Mercury, as well as the elastic thickness at their time of formation would help us improve our models.