Elasticity of High Pressure Phases of Mantle Minerals

Suny At Stony Brook, Stony Brook NY

Investigators

Abstract

Liebermann EAR-0229704 Seismological investigations yield the most precise information on the velocities of sound waves in the Earth's interior. Laboratory measurements of the sound velocities in minerals enable these seismic data to be interpreted in terms of chemical composition, mineralogy and temperature. This project will utilize ultrasonic techniques in combination with synchrotron X-radiation to measure the sound velocities of mantle minerals at simultaneous high pressures and temperatures. This research program takes advantage of the special opportunities for research that are provided by the multi-anvil, large-volume facilities of the Stony Brook High Pressure Laboratory and the associated analytical facilities of the Mineral Physics Institute at Stony Brook University. Many of these facilities were developed under the auspices of the NSF Science and Technology Center for High Pressure Research (CHiPR) from 1991-2002.