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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Simulation of the Planetary Interior Differentiation Processes in the Laboratory

Simulation of the Planetary Interior Differentiation Processes in the Laboratory

Published on: November 15, 2013

Earth science: a wet mantle conductor?

Marc Hirschmann¹

¹Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. marc.m.hirschmann-1@umn.edu

|January 27, 2006

Summary

The Earth's mantle transition zone may not hold as much water as previously thought. Reduced conditions, not high water content, likely explain its electrical conductivity, impacting geodynamics and geochemistry.

Area of Science:

Geophysics
Geochemistry
Mineral Physics

Background:

The Earth's mantle transition zone (410-670 km depth) is crucial for mantle dynamics and the global water cycle.
Previous studies suggested significant water enrichment in this zone based on electrical conductivity.
This interpretation relied on assumptions of oxidized conditions within the transition zone.

Discussion:

This study re-evaluates the interpretation of electrical conductivity data from the mantle transition zone.
It challenges the assumption of oxidized conditions, proposing that reduced conditions are more probable.
The impact of water on electrical conductivity is re-examined under these more likely reduced conditions.

Key Insights:

High electrical conductivities observed in the mantle transition zone can be explained by reduced conditions.

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This explanation does not require substantial water enrichment, contradicting previous findings.

The water content in the transition zone may be significantly lower than the 1,000-2,000 p.p.m. previously estimated.

Outlook:

Further research is needed to confirm the redox state of the mantle transition zone.
Revised models of mantle geodynamics and geochemistry may be necessary.
Understanding the true water content impacts models of plate tectonics and volatile cycling.