Key problems of the four-dimensional Earth system
Abstract
Compelling evidence indicates that the solid Earth consists of two physicochemically distinct zones separated radially in the middle of the lower mantle at ~1800 km depth. The inner zone is governed by pressure-induced physics and chemistry dramatically different from the conventional behavior in the outer zone. These differences generate large physical and chemical potentials between the two zones that provide fundamental driving forces for triggering major events in Earth’s history. One of the main chemical carriers between the two zones is H2O in hydrous minerals that subducts into the inner zone, releases hydrogen, and leaves oxygen to create superoxides and form oxygen-rich piles at the core–mantle boundary, resulting in localized net oxygen gain in the inner zone. Accumulation of oxygen-rich piles at the base of the mantle could eventually reach a supercritical level that triggers eruptions, injecting materials that cause chemical mantle convection, superplumes, large igneous provinces, extreme climate changes, atmospheric oxygen fluctuations, and mass extinctions. Interdisciplinary research will be the key for advancing a unified theory of the four-dimensional Earth system.
- Authors:
-
- Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research, Beijing (China)
- Stanford Univ., CA (United States); SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1633189
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC02-76SF00515; EAR-1447438; EAR-1722515; EAR 1446969; U1530402; U1930401
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Matter and Radiation at Extremes
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 5; Journal Issue: 3; Journal ID: ISSN 2468-2047
- Publisher:
- China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP)/AIP Publishing
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 58 GEOSCIENCES
Citation Formats
Mao, Ho-kwang, and Mao, Wendy L. Key problems of the four-dimensional Earth system. United States: N. p., 2020.
Web. doi:10.1063/1.5139023.
Mao, Ho-kwang, & Mao, Wendy L. Key problems of the four-dimensional Earth system. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5139023
Mao, Ho-kwang, and Mao, Wendy L. Tue .
"Key problems of the four-dimensional Earth system". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5139023. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1633189.
@article{osti_1633189,
title = {Key problems of the four-dimensional Earth system},
author = {Mao, Ho-kwang and Mao, Wendy L.},
abstractNote = {Compelling evidence indicates that the solid Earth consists of two physicochemically distinct zones separated radially in the middle of the lower mantle at ~1800 km depth. The inner zone is governed by pressure-induced physics and chemistry dramatically different from the conventional behavior in the outer zone. These differences generate large physical and chemical potentials between the two zones that provide fundamental driving forces for triggering major events in Earth’s history. One of the main chemical carriers between the two zones is H2O in hydrous minerals that subducts into the inner zone, releases hydrogen, and leaves oxygen to create superoxides and form oxygen-rich piles at the core–mantle boundary, resulting in localized net oxygen gain in the inner zone. Accumulation of oxygen-rich piles at the base of the mantle could eventually reach a supercritical level that triggers eruptions, injecting materials that cause chemical mantle convection, superplumes, large igneous provinces, extreme climate changes, atmospheric oxygen fluctuations, and mass extinctions. Interdisciplinary research will be the key for advancing a unified theory of the four-dimensional Earth system.},
doi = {10.1063/1.5139023},
journal = {Matter and Radiation at Extremes},
number = 3,
volume = 5,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Apr 28 00:00:00 EDT 2020},
month = {Tue Apr 28 00:00:00 EDT 2020}
}
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Figures / Tables:
FIG. 1: The division between the outer zone (OZ) and inner zone (IZ). Blue droplets denote H2O in hydrous minerals subducting with a sinking plate into the IZ, and reacting with Fe in the deep lower mantle [reaction (1)] to form FeO2Hx and release hydrogen (green droplets).
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Figures/Tables have been extracted from DOE-funded journal article accepted manuscripts.