Phase transformation of hydrous ringwoodite to the lower-mantle phases and the formation of dense hydrous silica

Huawei Chen, Kurt Leinenweber, Vitali Prakapenka, Martin Kunz, Hans A. Bechtel, Zhenxian Liu, Sang Heon Shim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

To understand the effects of H2O on the mineral phases forming under the pressure-temperature conditions of the lower mantle, we have conducted laser-heated diamond-anvil cell experiments on hydrous ringwoodite (Mg2SiO4 with 1.1 wt% H2O) at pressures between 29 and 59 GPa and temperatures between 1200 and 2400 K. Our results show that hydrous ringwoodite (hRw) converts to crystalline dense hydrous silica, stishovite (Stv) or CaCl2-type SiO2 (mStv), containing 1 wt% H2O together with Brd and MgO at the pressure-temperature conditions expected for shallow lower-mantle depths between approximately 660 to 1600 km. Considering the lack of sign for melting in our experiments, our preferred interpretation of the observation is that Brd partially breaks down to dense hydrous silica and periclase (Pc), forming the phase assembly Brd + Pc + Stv. The results may provide an explanation for the enigmatic coexistence of Stv and Fp inclusions in lower-mantle diamonds.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1342-1348
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Mineralogist
Volume105
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 25 2020

Keywords

  • Bridgmanite
  • Mantle
  • Periclase
  • Ringwoodite
  • Stishovite
  • Volatile Elements in Differentiated Planetary Interiors
  • Water

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • Geochemistry and Petrology

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