The bulk properties of iron at the pressure and temperature conditions of Earth's core were determined by a method that combines first-principles and classical molecular dynamic simulations. The theory indicates that (i) the iron melting temperature at inner-core boundary (ICB) pressure (330 gigapascals) is 5400 (+/-400) kelvin; (ii) Liquid iron at ICE conditions is about 6% denser than Earth's outer core; and (iii) the shear modulus of solid iron close to its melting tine is 140 gigapascals, consistent with the seismic value for the inner core. These results reconcile melting temperature estimates based on sound velocity shock wave data with those based on diamond anvil cell experiments.

Physics of iron at Earth's core conditions / Laio, A.; Bernard, S.; Chiarotti, G. L.; Scandolo, S.; Tosatti, E.. - In: SCIENCE. - ISSN 0036-8075. - 287:5455(2000), pp. 1027-1030. [10.1126/science.287.5455.1027]

Physics of iron at Earth's core conditions

Laio, A.;Tosatti, E.
2000-01-01

Abstract

The bulk properties of iron at the pressure and temperature conditions of Earth's core were determined by a method that combines first-principles and classical molecular dynamic simulations. The theory indicates that (i) the iron melting temperature at inner-core boundary (ICB) pressure (330 gigapascals) is 5400 (+/-400) kelvin; (ii) Liquid iron at ICE conditions is about 6% denser than Earth's outer core; and (iii) the shear modulus of solid iron close to its melting tine is 140 gigapascals, consistent with the seismic value for the inner core. These results reconcile melting temperature estimates based on sound velocity shock wave data with those based on diamond anvil cell experiments.
2000
287
5455
1027
1030
Laio, A.; Bernard, S.; Chiarotti, G. L.; Scandolo, S.; Tosatti, E.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11767/16334
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 7
  • Scopus 310
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 282
social impact