Our current knowledge of the composition and structure of the Earth and of the dynamic processes in the interior of our planet relies on the investigation of chemical processes and rocks as well as on geophysical measurements from the surface. The construction of a reliable self-consistent global dynamic model of the Earth that satisfies both chemical and physical constraints requires a detailed knowledge of the assemblage and behavior of the mineralogical components of our planet’s internal layer at the actual conditions of pressure and temperature expected at depth.
Mineral physics, both experimental and computational, is steadily progressing towards a complete characterization of the physical (and chemical) properties of all the materials present in the deep Earth. However, approaching the extreme pressure and temperature conditions present in the mantle and core and adding quantitatively the effects of chemical substitution and partitioning is still posing tremendous challenges to both the experimental and computational mineral physicists.
We welcome both experimental and computational contributions focusing on static and dynamic behavior of candidate materials of the Earth mantle and core and their impact on our picture of the interior of our planet.