Fate of MgSiO3 melts at core-mantle boundary conditions.

ABSTRACT: One key for understanding the stratification in the deep mantle lies in the determination of the density and structure of matter at high pressures, as well as the density contrast between solid and liquid silicate phases. Indeed, the density contrast is the main control on the entrainment or settlement of matter and is of fundamental importance for understanding the past and present dynamic behavior of the deepest part of the Earth's mantle. Here, we adapted the X-ray absorption method to the small dimensions of the diamond anvil cell, enabling density measurements of amorphous materials to unprecedented conditions of pressure. Our density data for MgSiO3 glass up to 127 GPa are considerably higher than those previously derived from Brillouin spectroscopy but validate recent ab initio mole

SUBMITTER: Petitgirard S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4655538 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature