Unyielding Iron Oxide: Surviving Earth's Harshest Conditions

Scientists have long been intrigued by the ultralow velocity zones (ULVZs) near the core-mantle boundary (CMB) of the Earth, but their composition and behavior have remained a mystery. A recent study led by Caltech researchers has provided evidence that these regions, which slow down seismic waves, may be composed of solid iron oxide. The study used experiments to determine the temperatures and pressures at which iron oxide transitions from a solid to a liquid state, and found that it remains solid even at extreme conditions similar to those at the CMB. The findings shed light on the complex nature of the Earth's deep interior and its influence on geological processes.