Boulders on Mercury

Boulders on the surfaces of planets, satellites and small bodies, as well their geological associations, provide important information about surface processes. We analyzed all available images Mercury that have sufficient resolution quality to detect boulders, we mapped boulders observed. The lower size limit detectable was ~5 m. All found are associated with fresh impact craters hundreds meters in diameter or larger. compared boulder population same Moon, ~30 times less abundant than lunar highlands. This exact quantitative estimate is inherently inaccurate due limitation source data; however, significant relative rarity can be firmly reliably established. discuss possible causes observed difference. Higher thermal stresses more rapid material fatigue diurnal temperature cycling may cause disintegration upper decimeters thus contribute obliteration; these factors alone cannot account for A proposed thicker regolith likely significantly reduce production rate. higher micrometeoritic flux result abrasion being a dominant contributor degradation; this high rate shortens lifetime. combination appears able Mercury.