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Content archived on 2024-05-14

Kinetic studies of the high pressure transformation of natural olivine under subduction zone conditions

Objective



The olivine-spinel transformation in the Earth's mantle is believed to have an important effect on the dynamics of subduction. It is possible that under P-T conditions of subducting slabs the transformation is kinetically inhibited. The possible metastable persistance of olivine to depths far below 400 km (which is a critical requirement in current models of deep-focus earthquakes) will be tested by determining the transformation kinetics experimentally .
Samples of mantle olivine are partially reacted at various P-T conditions (e.g. 18 GPa, 10000C) using a multianvil press. The microstructures of partially-reacted samples are characterised using optical and transmission electron microscopy. The time-dependence of the microtextures enables rates of nucleation and growth to be estimated as a function of P and T. Using appropriate kinetic rate equations, combined with thermal models, the experimental data will be used to quantify the depth of the olivine-spinel transformation in subduction zones.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Programme(s)

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Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships)

Coordinator

UNIVERSITAET BAYREUTH
EU contribution
No data
Address
Universitätsstraße 30
95440 BAYREUTH
Germany
Total cost
No data

Participants (1)