Large, bright plains on the surface of Mercury hint of a violent, volcanic past, according to the latest scientific findings from the Mercury Messenger probe operated by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

Findings supporting volcanic activity, a liquid magnetic core and a dearth of iron among surface minerals were reported in 11 articles published today in the journal Science. The findings digest 55 hours of images taken during the probe?s first flyby of Mercury in January as Messenger maneuvers for its ultimate orbit around the planet in 2011.