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Science 21 July 2000:
Vol. 289. no. 5478, p. 357
DOI: 10.1126/science.289.5478.357n
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Ferropericlase (Mg,Fe)O is considered to be an important component of the lower mantle. Dubrovinsky et al. (p. 430) measured the structural properties of ferropericlase by in situ x-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell at pressures as high as 83 gigapascals and temperatures as high as 1000 Kelvin. They observed the breakdown of ferropericlase into a magnesium-rich and an iron-rich oxide. The dissociation of ferropericlase into lighter and heavier oxide components may affect the dynamic behavior of the lower mantle and its possible interaction with the liquid outer core.




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