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High‐pressure melting of MgO from (Mg,Fe)O solid solutions
Author(s) -
Du Zhixue,
Lee Kanani K. M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2014gl061954
Subject(s) - mantle (geology) , diamond anvil cell , planet , olivine , geothermal gradient , thermodynamics , materials science , silicate , high pressure , geology , astrobiology , mineralogy , geophysics , physics , astrophysics , astronomy
Magnesium oxide (MgO) is a significant component of planetary interiors, particularly Earth's mantle and other rocky planets within and beyond our solar system; thus its high‐pressure, high‐temperature behavior is important to understanding the thermochemical evolution of planets. Laser‐heated diamond‐anvil cell (DAC) experiments on (Mg,Fe)O ferropericlase up to ~40 GPa show that previous DAC experiments on MgO melting are too low, while previous multi‐anvil experiments yield melting temperatures too high. Instead, our quasi‐static experimental results are consistent with recent ab initio predictions as well as dynamic shock measurements. Extrapolated to the core‐mantle boundary (CMB) of the Earth, MgO is expected to melt at ~8000 ± 500 K, much greater than expected geotherm temperatures.