GFZ German research centre for geo sciences

Structure, crystal chemistry and stability of Dense Hydrous Silicates

Experimental studies have shown that a number of dense hydrous silicates are stable at mantle pressures, corresponding to depths greater than 200 km: e.g. phase A, phase B, phase E, superhydrous phase B, phase Egg. If present in the Earth’s mantle these minerals are important hosts for H2O and their dehydration at much higher P and T may be responsible for deep focus earthquakes. To understand the Earth’s water cycle it is important to learn more about their stabilities and phase relations at P and T (e. g., dehydration reactions). 

Fig.: Selected phases in the system MgO-SiO2-H2O. Coloured are Dense Hydrous Magnesium Silicates (DHMS) of which only 10Å phase has been found in nature yet. Some confusion exists concerning nomenclature and identification (superhydrous phase B = phase C; phase D = phase F and phase G)

Contact

Prof. Dr. Monika Koch-Müller

Dr. Christian Lathe

Dr. Xinyang Li

Dr. Sergio Speziale

Dr. Bernd Wunder

 

Partner

Mainak Mookherjee, Florida State University, Tallahassee

Mark David Welch, The Natural History Museum, London

Dr. Hanns-Peter Liermann, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Hamburg

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