In Tuoyun area of southwestern Tianshan, mantle and lower crust xenoliths are present In the volcanic rocks with ages of 101-123 Ma. Mantle xenoliths include mineral megacrysts such as kaersutite and pargasite, feldsp...In Tuoyun area of southwestern Tianshan, mantle and lower crust xenoliths are present In the volcanic rocks with ages of 101-123 Ma. Mantle xenoliths include mineral megacrysts such as kaersutite and pargasite, feldspar, biotite, and rare pyroxene and rock fragments such as perodotite, pyroxenite, amphibolite, and rare glimmerite. Lower crust xenoliths are mainly banded and massive granulite. The volcanic rocks were produced by within-plate magmatism. Occurrence of hydrous and volatile mineral megacrysts, amphibolite, and some pyroxenite containing hydrous and volatile minerals indicates that mantle metasomatism was intense. Undoubtedly, this discovery is very important to understanding of the crust-mantle structure and geodynamic background in depth in southwestern Tianshan and geological correlation with adjacent regions.展开更多
The Tethyan evolution depicts the continuous process of landmasses separating from the Gondwana continent in the south,drifting northwards,and subsequently colliding with the continents in the north over the past 500 ...The Tethyan evolution depicts the continuous process of landmasses separating from the Gondwana continent in the south,drifting northwards,and subsequently colliding with the continents in the north over the past 500 million years.In this process,the Tethyan oceans that formed between the landmass and the southern or northern continents underwent growth,evolution,and eventual closure with the early Cenozoic India-Eurasia collision.However,the Tethyan lithosphere did not disappear but rather continued to evolve after entering into the deep Earth.The current position,morphology,and volume of the subducted Tethyan oceanic slabs in the deep mantle record the latest moment of this continuous evolution,providing critical constraints for Tethyan studies.This paper summarizes and analyzes the results of global-scale whole-mantle seismic tomography in the past nearly two decades,revealing a northwest-southeast seismically high-velocity anomaly,which is linearly distributed at depths of 1000–2000 km beneath the Tethyan realm and referred to as the Tethyan anomaly.By searching for an optimal linear combination of previous global seismic tomographic models to best match the known subducted slabs in the upper mantle,we observe that the Tethyan anomaly extends approximately 8700 km in length and 2600 km in width,exhibiting a parallel structure with northern and southern branches.Combining geological records of oceanic subduction initiation and previous geodynamic studies,this study suggests that the main body of the Tethyan anomaly represents the remnants of the subducted Neo-Tethyan oceanic slabs,which subducted from the Late Jurassic to the early Cenozoic.The northern branch consists of subducted slabs from the Neo-Tethys beneath the southern margin of Eurasia,while the southern branch likely reflects the intra-oceanic subducted slabs of Neo-Tethys during the Cretaceous.The western portion of the Tethyan anomaly may reflect remnants of Paleo-Tethys,while the eastern portion,towards India and the Bay of Bengal,shows signs o展开更多
Expansion of the pressure range of Kawai-type multi-anvil presses (KMAPs) with tungsten carbide (WC) anvils is called for, especially in the field of Earth science. However, no significant progress in pressure generat...Expansion of the pressure range of Kawai-type multi-anvil presses (KMAPs) with tungsten carbide (WC) anvils is called for, especially in the field of Earth science. However, no significant progress in pressure generation has been made for 40 years. Our recent studies have expanded the pressure generation of a KMAP with WC anvils to 65 GPa, which is the world record for high-pressure generation in this device and is more than 2.5 times higher than conventional pressure generation. We have also successfully generated pressures of about 50 GPa at high temperatures. This work reviews our recently developed technology for high-pressure generation. High-pressure generation at room temperature and at high temperature was attained by integration of the following techniques:① a precisely aligned guideblock system,② a high degree of hardness of the second-stage anvils,③ tapering of the second-stage anvil faces,④ a high-pressure cell consisting of materials with a high bulk modulus, and ⑤ high thermal insulation of the furnace. Our high-pressure technology will facilitate investigation of the phase stability and physical properties of materials under the conditions of the upper part of the lower mantle, and will permit the synthesis and characterization of novel materials.展开更多
Water in Earth's mantle plays a critical role in both geodynamic and surficial habitability.Water in the upper mantle and transition zone is widely discussed,but less is known about the water in the lower mantle d...Water in Earth's mantle plays a critical role in both geodynamic and surficial habitability.Water in the upper mantle and transition zone is widely discussed,but less is known about the water in the lower mantle despite it constituting over half of Earth's mass.Understanding the water storage in Earth's lower mantle relies on comprehending the water solubility of bridgmanite,which is the most abundant mineral both in the lower mantle and throughout Earth.Nevertheless,due to limited access to the lower mantle,our understanding of water in bridgmanite mainly comes from laboratory experiments and theoretical calculations,and a huge controversy still exists.In this paper,we provide a review of the commonly employed research methods and current findings concerning the solubility of water in bridgmanite.Potential factors,such as pressure,temperature,compositions,etc.,that influence the water solubility of bridgmanite will be discussed,along with insights into future research directions.展开更多
The pyrite-type FeO_(2)and FeO_(2)H were synthesized at the pressure-temperature conditions relevant to Earth’s deep lower mantle.Through the water-iron reaction,the pyrite-phase is a good candidate to explain the ch...The pyrite-type FeO_(2)and FeO_(2)H were synthesized at the pressure-temperature conditions relevant to Earth’s deep lower mantle.Through the water-iron reaction,the pyrite-phase is a good candidate to explain the chemical heterogeneities and seismological anomalies at the bottom of the mantle.The solid solution of pyrite-type FeO_(2)and FeO_(2)H,namely the FeO_(2)Hx(0≤x≤1),is particularly interesting and introduces puzzling chemical states for both the O and H atoms in the deep mantle.While the role of H in the FeO_(2)–FeO_(2)H system has been primarily investigated,discrepancies remain.In this work,we summarize recent progress on the pyrite-phase,including FeO_(2),FeO_(2)H,and FeO_(2)Hx,which is critical for understanding the water cycling,redox equilibria,and compositional heterogenicities in the deep lower mantle.展开更多
The thermal structure of the lower mantle plays a key role in understanding the dynamic processes of the Earth's evolution and mantle convection.Because intrinsic attenuation in the lower mantle is highly sensitiv...The thermal structure of the lower mantle plays a key role in understanding the dynamic processes of the Earth's evolution and mantle convection.Because intrinsic attenuation in the lower mantle is highly sensitive to temperature,determining of the attenuation of the lower mantle could help us determine its thermal state.We attempted to constrain the attenuation of the lower mantle by measuring the amplitude ratios of p to ScP on the vertical component and s to ScS on the tangential component at short epicentral distances for seismic wave data from deep earthquakes in Northeast China.We calculated the theoretical amplitude ratios of p to ScP and s to ScS by using ray theory and the axial-symmetric spectral element method AxiSEM,as well as by considering the effects of radiation patterns,geometrical spreading,and ScP reflection coefficients.By comparing the observed amplitude ratios with the synthetic results,we constrained the quality factors as Qα≈3,000 and Qβ≈1,300 in the lower mantle beneath Northeast China,which are much larger than those in the preliminary reference Earth model(PREM)model of Qα~800 and Qβ~312.We propose that the lower mantle beneath Northeast China is relatively colder than the average mantle,resulting in weaker intrinsic attenuation and higher velocity.We estimated the temperature of the lower mantle beneath Northeast China as approximately 300–700 K colder than the global average value.展开更多
Asthenosphere is a venerable concept based on geological intuition of Reginald Daly nearly 100 years ago. There have been various explanations for the existence of the asthenosphere. The concept of a plume-fed astheno...Asthenosphere is a venerable concept based on geological intuition of Reginald Daly nearly 100 years ago. There have been various explanations for the existence of the asthenosphere. The concept of a plume-fed asthenosphere has been around for a few years due to the ideas put forth by Yamamoto et al.. Using a two-dimensional Cartesian code based on finite-volume method, we have investigated the influences of lower-mantle physical properties on the formation of a low-viscosity zone in the oceanic upper mantle in regions close to a large mantle upwelUng. The rheological law is Newtonian and depends on both temperature and depth. An extended-Boussinesq model is assumed for the energetics and the olivine to spinel, the spinel to perovskite and perovskite to post-perovskite （ppv） phase transitions are considered. We have compared the differences in the behavior of hot upweilings passing through the transition zone in the mid-mantle for a variety of models, starting with constant physical properties in the lower-mantle and culminating with complex models which have the post-perovskite phase transition and depth-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity. We found that the formation of the asthenosphere in the upper mantle in the vicinity of large upwellings is facilitated in models where both depth-dependent thermal expansivity and conductivity are included. Models with constant thermal expansivity and thermal conductivity do not produce a hot low-viscosity zone, resembling the asthenosphere. We have also studied the influences of a cylindrical model and found similar results as the Cartesian model with the important difference that upper-mantle temperatures were much cooler than the Cartesian model by about 600 to 700 K. Our findings argue for the potentially important role played by lower-mantle material properties on the development of a plume-fed asthenosphere in the oceanic upper mantle.展开更多
Recent advances in experimental techniques and data processing allow in situ determination of mineral crystal structure and chemistry up to Mbar pressures in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell(DAC),providing the fundam...Recent advances in experimental techniques and data processing allow in situ determination of mineral crystal structure and chemistry up to Mbar pressures in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell(DAC),providing the fundamental information of the mineralogical constitution of our Earth's interior.This work highlights several recent breakthroughs in the field of high-pressure mineral crystallography,including the stability of bridgmanite,the single-crystal structure studies of post-perovskite and H-phase as well as the identification of hydrous minerals and iron oxides in the deep lower mantle.The future development of high-pressure crystallography is also discussed.展开更多
文摘In Tuoyun area of southwestern Tianshan, mantle and lower crust xenoliths are present In the volcanic rocks with ages of 101-123 Ma. Mantle xenoliths include mineral megacrysts such as kaersutite and pargasite, feldspar, biotite, and rare pyroxene and rock fragments such as perodotite, pyroxenite, amphibolite, and rare glimmerite. Lower crust xenoliths are mainly banded and massive granulite. The volcanic rocks were produced by within-plate magmatism. Occurrence of hydrous and volatile mineral megacrysts, amphibolite, and some pyroxenite containing hydrous and volatile minerals indicates that mantle metasomatism was intense. Undoubtedly, this discovery is very important to understanding of the crust-mantle structure and geodynamic background in depth in southwestern Tianshan and geological correlation with adjacent regions.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.92155307,U1901602,42274058,42174106)the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (Grant No.KQTD20170810111725321)the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Geophysical High-resolution Imaging Technology (Grant No.2022B1212010002)。
文摘The Tethyan evolution depicts the continuous process of landmasses separating from the Gondwana continent in the south,drifting northwards,and subsequently colliding with the continents in the north over the past 500 million years.In this process,the Tethyan oceans that formed between the landmass and the southern or northern continents underwent growth,evolution,and eventual closure with the early Cenozoic India-Eurasia collision.However,the Tethyan lithosphere did not disappear but rather continued to evolve after entering into the deep Earth.The current position,morphology,and volume of the subducted Tethyan oceanic slabs in the deep mantle record the latest moment of this continuous evolution,providing critical constraints for Tethyan studies.This paper summarizes and analyzes the results of global-scale whole-mantle seismic tomography in the past nearly two decades,revealing a northwest-southeast seismically high-velocity anomaly,which is linearly distributed at depths of 1000–2000 km beneath the Tethyan realm and referred to as the Tethyan anomaly.By searching for an optimal linear combination of previous global seismic tomographic models to best match the known subducted slabs in the upper mantle,we observe that the Tethyan anomaly extends approximately 8700 km in length and 2600 km in width,exhibiting a parallel structure with northern and southern branches.Combining geological records of oceanic subduction initiation and previous geodynamic studies,this study suggests that the main body of the Tethyan anomaly represents the remnants of the subducted Neo-Tethyan oceanic slabs,which subducted from the Late Jurassic to the early Cenozoic.The northern branch consists of subducted slabs from the Neo-Tethys beneath the southern margin of Eurasia,while the southern branch likely reflects the intra-oceanic subducted slabs of Neo-Tethys during the Cretaceous.The western portion of the Tethyan anomaly may reflect remnants of Paleo-Tethys,while the eastern portion,towards India and the Bay of Bengal,shows signs o
基金supported by an Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowship to T.Ishiifunding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (787527)
文摘Expansion of the pressure range of Kawai-type multi-anvil presses (KMAPs) with tungsten carbide (WC) anvils is called for, especially in the field of Earth science. However, no significant progress in pressure generation has been made for 40 years. Our recent studies have expanded the pressure generation of a KMAP with WC anvils to 65 GPa, which is the world record for high-pressure generation in this device and is more than 2.5 times higher than conventional pressure generation. We have also successfully generated pressures of about 50 GPa at high temperatures. This work reviews our recently developed technology for high-pressure generation. High-pressure generation at room temperature and at high temperature was attained by integration of the following techniques:① a precisely aligned guideblock system,② a high degree of hardness of the second-stage anvils,③ tapering of the second-stage anvil faces,④ a high-pressure cell consisting of materials with a high bulk modulus, and ⑤ high thermal insulation of the furnace. Our high-pressure technology will facilitate investigation of the phase stability and physical properties of materials under the conditions of the upper part of the lower mantle, and will permit the synthesis and characterization of novel materials.
基金National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars(Grant No.42225302)to Yuan Li。
文摘Water in Earth's mantle plays a critical role in both geodynamic and surficial habitability.Water in the upper mantle and transition zone is widely discussed,but less is known about the water in the lower mantle despite it constituting over half of Earth's mass.Understanding the water storage in Earth's lower mantle relies on comprehending the water solubility of bridgmanite,which is the most abundant mineral both in the lower mantle and throughout Earth.Nevertheless,due to limited access to the lower mantle,our understanding of water in bridgmanite mainly comes from laboratory experiments and theoretical calculations,and a huge controversy still exists.In this paper,we provide a review of the commonly employed research methods and current findings concerning the solubility of water in bridgmanite.Potential factors,such as pressure,temperature,compositions,etc.,that influence the water solubility of bridgmanite will be discussed,along with insights into future research directions.
基金NSAF(Grant Nos.U1530402 and U1930401)National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,Grant No.17N1051-0213)+2 种基金the National Science Foundation-Earth Sciences(EAR-1128799)the Department of Energy-Geosciences(DE-FG02-94ER14466)HPCAT operations are supported by DOE-NNSA’s Office of Experimental Sciences.APS is supported by DOEBES,under contract No.DE-AC02-06CH11357.
文摘The pyrite-type FeO_(2)and FeO_(2)H were synthesized at the pressure-temperature conditions relevant to Earth’s deep lower mantle.Through the water-iron reaction,the pyrite-phase is a good candidate to explain the chemical heterogeneities and seismological anomalies at the bottom of the mantle.The solid solution of pyrite-type FeO_(2)and FeO_(2)H,namely the FeO_(2)Hx(0≤x≤1),is particularly interesting and introduces puzzling chemical states for both the O and H atoms in the deep mantle.While the role of H in the FeO_(2)–FeO_(2)H system has been primarily investigated,discrepancies remain.In this work,we summarize recent progress on the pyrite-phase,including FeO_(2),FeO_(2)H,and FeO_(2)Hx,which is critical for understanding the water cycling,redox equilibria,and compositional heterogenicities in the deep lower mantle.
基金supported by funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 41904061)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (grant no. 2018M640742)
文摘The thermal structure of the lower mantle plays a key role in understanding the dynamic processes of the Earth's evolution and mantle convection.Because intrinsic attenuation in the lower mantle is highly sensitive to temperature,determining of the attenuation of the lower mantle could help us determine its thermal state.We attempted to constrain the attenuation of the lower mantle by measuring the amplitude ratios of p to ScP on the vertical component and s to ScS on the tangential component at short epicentral distances for seismic wave data from deep earthquakes in Northeast China.We calculated the theoretical amplitude ratios of p to ScP and s to ScS by using ray theory and the axial-symmetric spectral element method AxiSEM,as well as by considering the effects of radiation patterns,geometrical spreading,and ScP reflection coefficients.By comparing the observed amplitude ratios with the synthetic results,we constrained the quality factors as Qα≈3,000 and Qβ≈1,300 in the lower mantle beneath Northeast China,which are much larger than those in the preliminary reference Earth model(PREM)model of Qα~800 and Qβ~312.We propose that the lower mantle beneath Northeast China is relatively colder than the average mantle,resulting in weaker intrinsic attenuation and higher velocity.We estimated the temperature of the lower mantle beneath Northeast China as approximately 300–700 K colder than the global average value.
基金supported by the CMG Program of the National Science Foundationthe Senior Visiting Professorship Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,the Helmholtz Association through the Research Alliance "Planetary Evolution and Life",and the European Commission through the Marie Curie Research Training Network c2c (No. MRTN-CT-2006-035957)
文摘Asthenosphere is a venerable concept based on geological intuition of Reginald Daly nearly 100 years ago. There have been various explanations for the existence of the asthenosphere. The concept of a plume-fed asthenosphere has been around for a few years due to the ideas put forth by Yamamoto et al.. Using a two-dimensional Cartesian code based on finite-volume method, we have investigated the influences of lower-mantle physical properties on the formation of a low-viscosity zone in the oceanic upper mantle in regions close to a large mantle upwelUng. The rheological law is Newtonian and depends on both temperature and depth. An extended-Boussinesq model is assumed for the energetics and the olivine to spinel, the spinel to perovskite and perovskite to post-perovskite （ppv） phase transitions are considered. We have compared the differences in the behavior of hot upweilings passing through the transition zone in the mid-mantle for a variety of models, starting with constant physical properties in the lower-mantle and culminating with complex models which have the post-perovskite phase transition and depth-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity. We found that the formation of the asthenosphere in the upper mantle in the vicinity of large upwellings is facilitated in models where both depth-dependent thermal expansivity and conductivity are included. Models with constant thermal expansivity and thermal conductivity do not produce a hot low-viscosity zone, resembling the asthenosphere. We have also studied the influences of a cylindrical model and found similar results as the Cartesian model with the important difference that upper-mantle temperatures were much cooler than the Cartesian model by about 600 to 700 K. Our findings argue for the potentially important role played by lower-mantle material properties on the development of a plume-fed asthenosphere in the oceanic upper mantle.
基金The authors acknowledge the support from the Foundation of President of China Academy of Engineering Physics(Grant No:201402032)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No:41574080 and U1530402).
文摘Recent advances in experimental techniques and data processing allow in situ determination of mineral crystal structure and chemistry up to Mbar pressures in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell(DAC),providing the fundamental information of the mineralogical constitution of our Earth's interior.This work highlights several recent breakthroughs in the field of high-pressure mineral crystallography,including the stability of bridgmanite,the single-crystal structure studies of post-perovskite and H-phase as well as the identification of hydrous minerals and iron oxides in the deep lower mantle.The future development of high-pressure crystallography is also discussed.
