Geology of the Bach quadrangle (H15), Mercury Article Swipe
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· 2025
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2025.2566364
· OA: W4415449459
Mercury's Bach quadrangle (H15) is the area poleward of 65°S. We mapped this geologically using remote sensing-based observations of surface morphology revealed on MESSENGER data products. This map contributes to a series of quadrangle maps providing geological context forthe ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission to Mercury. We performed digitisation at ∼1:400,000 scale and final publication scale is 1:3,000,. There are four morphologically distinct plains units: intercrater, intermediate, smooth, and very smooth. Impact craters cover much of H15's surface. Following convention, we mapped crater materials for all craters ≥20 km, classifying them on the basis of morphological evidence for degradation. We produced two map versions, using a three-class and a five-class crater degradation scheme. We include two geological aspects that have not featured in previous maps of the series, by mapping occurrences of lobate ejecta at craters ≥20 km and depicting the distribution of the south polar permanently shadowed regions.