Thermoelastic Properties of Seifertite at High Pressures and Temperatures: Implications for Negative Velocity Discontinuities in the D' Layer

Bibliographic Details
Title: Thermoelastic Properties of Seifertite at High Pressures and Temperatures: Implications for Negative Velocity Discontinuities in the D' Layer
Authors: Tao Liu, Xiong Wang, Chang Pu, Zhicheng Jing
Source: Geophysical Research Letters, Vol 51, Iss 23, Pp n/a-n/a (2024)
Publisher Information: Wiley, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Geophysics. Cosmic physics
Subject Terms: Geophysics. Cosmic physics, QC801-809
More Details: Abstract Negative velocity discontinuities are often observed at the base of the D'' layer, yet their formation mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we present the first investigation of thermoelastic properties of SiO2‐seifertite under 30–200 GPa and 1,000–4,000 K using first‐principles molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the compressional and shear wave velocities of seifertite are 2.0%–4.3% and 7.4%–11.3% lower, respectively, than those of CaCl2‐type SiO2 in the D'' layer. The reductions in VS across the phase transition are significantly larger than previous estimates from density functional theory results. Incorporating the elastic properties of other minerals, we demonstrate that the presence of SiO2 in the accumulated subducted oceanic crust and the associated VS reductions can contribute to the negative velocity discontinuities observed in the D'' layer. The observed low seismic velocities at the base of the lower mantle can be matched if 19–27 vol.% SiO2 is present in the D'' region.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1944-8007
0094-8276
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/0094-8276; https://doaj.org/toc/1944-8007
DOI: 10.1029/2024GL112270
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/f24c65b6a1a24a98aade6f8029dceaa2
Accession Number: edsdoj.f24c65b6a1a24a98aade6f8029dceaa2
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:19448007
00948276
DOI:10.1029/2024GL112270
Published in:Geophysical Research Letters
Language:English