New high-pressure experiments on fluid iron suggest thermal convection without compositional buoyancy is sufficient to drive the dynamo generating Earth’s magnetic field.Read More »Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Volcanology
Silicate melts containing H2O in the lowermost mantle are surprisingly dense and may stagnate there, trapping primordial volatiles and potentially causing some of the ultra-low velocity zones.Read More »Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Volcanology
Molecular dynamics calculations suggest that molten hydrogen-bearing iron peroxide (FeO2Hx) may produce the ultra-low velocity zones that occur at the core-mantle boundary.Read More »Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Volcanology
Laboratory experiments that indicate rock particles can impede sliding along grain boundaries in ice may help researchers more accurately determine the composition of planetary ice masses.Read More »Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Volcanology
Real-time tracking during diamond anvil cell experiments indicates reaction rates may control the unusual depth distribution of the extremely rare diamonds that form deep within Earth’s mantle.Read More »Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Volcanology
A new version of a free Web application (SIGMELTS 2.0) helps Earth scientists interpret electrical anomalies in Earth’s crust and mantle and track the sources of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.Read More »Geology & Geophysics
Although rare at the Earth’s surface, diamonds may be commonplace at depths of 120 to 150 kilometers below the surface within the lithosphere of old continents.Read More »Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Volcanology
A recent report points out where the United States is most dependent on mineral imports and highlights some ways for reducing this dependence.Read More »
