学術雑誌論文

学術雑誌論文

Nature Communications. 2024, 15, p. 8701

Extensive iron–water exchange at Earth’s core–mantle boundary can explain seismic anomalies

Nature Research

英語

2024-10-15

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52677-9

Kawano K., Nishi M., Kuwahara H., et al. Extensive iron–water exchange at Earth’s core–mantle boundary can explain seismic anomalies. Nature Communications 15, 8701 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52677-9.

Seismological observations indicate the presence of chemical heterogeneities at the lowermost mantle, just above the core–mantle boundary (CMB), sparking debate over their origins. A plausible explanation for the enigmatic seismic wave velocities observed in ultra-low-velocity zones (ULVZs) is the process of iron enrichment from the core to the silicate mantle. However, traditional models based on diffusion of atoms and penetration of molten iron fail to account for the significant iron enrichment observed in ULVZs. Here, we show that the chemical reaction between silicate bridgmanite and iron under hydrous conditions leads to profound iron enrichment within silicate, a process not seen in anhydrous conditions. Our findings suggest that the interaction between the core and mantle facilitates deep iron enrichment over a few kilometres at the bottom of the mantle when water is present. We propose that the seismic signatures observed in ULVZs indicate whole mantle convection, accompanied by deep water cycles from the crust to the core through Earth’s history.

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

98355

Extensive iron–water exchange at Earth’s core–mantle boundary can explain seismic anomalies

Nature Research

英語

2024-10-15

Nature Communications

15

8701

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52677-9

https://hdl.handle.net/11094/98355