Earth Sciences Department makes groundbreaking discovery
Groundbreaking discovery in Earth Sciences
Researchers at the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of geophysics.
The team, led by Professor Biao Wang, has discovered that the mineral MgFeO ferropericlase, which is found in the Earth's mantle, exhibits a dramatic softening in its mechanical properties when it undergoes a phase transition known as the iron spin crossover. This discovery has major implications for our understanding of the Earth's interior and the dynamics of the planet's mantle.
The research was published in the journal Nature Geoscience and has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the field of geophysics. Professor Wang said: "This discovery has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the Earth's mantle and the dynamics of our planet. It could lead to new insights into the formation and evolution of the Earth, as well as the processes that drive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions."
The discovery is also expected to have implications for the field of materials science. Ferropericlase is a promising material for use in high-temperature applications, such as nuclear reactors and jet engines. The discovery of its unusual mechanical properties could lead to the development of new materials with improved properties for these applications.
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