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Postspinel Phase of Forsterite and Evolution of the Earth's Mantle

Abstract

THIS is the first announcement of success in the experimental confirmation of the postspinel phase of forsterite at high pressure and high temperature. Forsterite (Mg2SiO4) decomposes to periclase (MgO) and stishovite (SiO2) at 330 kbar and 1,000° C. Forsterite is a major constituent of the Earth's mantle and the phase of forsterite composition at high pressure places a strong constraint on the nature of the transition layer and also on the composition and evolution of the Earth.

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KUMAZAWA, M., SAWAMOTO, H., OHTANI, E. et al. Postspinel Phase of Forsterite and Evolution of the Earth's Mantle. Nature 247, 356–358 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/247356a0

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