Abstract
We report the results of X-ray diffraction experiments with the diamond anvil cell to pressures above 300 GPa at room temperature on pure iron and an iron-nickel alloy. These data extend throughout the pressure range of the bulk of the outer core of the Earth and provide for the first time direct pressure-volume measurements on geophysically important materials at such conditions. Both iron and iron-nickel are observed to remain in the hexagonal close-packed structure to the maximum pressures. Within the range of uncertainty in Earth model densities and trade-offs with the percentage light component in the core, nickel could be present in the core in an amount at least equal to its estimated abundance in the Earth. A direct comparison with (solid) inner core densities is now possible and places direct constraints on the thermal models of the Earth's interior. -from Authors
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 21,737-21,742 |
Journal | Journal of Geophysical Research |
Volume | 95 |
Issue number | B13 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 1 1990 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geophysics
- Forestry
- Oceanography
- Aquatic Science
- Ecology
- Water Science and Technology
- Soil Science
- Geochemistry and Petrology
- Earth-Surface Processes
- Atmospheric Science
- Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Space and Planetary Science
- Palaeontology