HIGH-PRESSURE PHASE-TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE JOINS MG2SIO4-CA2SIO4 AND MGO-CASIO3

High pressure phase transformations for all the mineral phases along the joins Mg2SiO4-Ca2-SiO4 and MgO-CaSiO3 in the system MgO-CaO-SiO2 were investigated in the pressure range between 100 and 300 kbar at about 1,000 °C, by means of the technique involving a diamond-anvil press coupled with laser heating. In addition to the four end-members, there are three stable intermediate mineral components in these two joins. Phase behaviour of all the end-member components at high pressure have been reported earlier and are reviewed here. Results of this study reveal that the three intermediate components are all unstable relative to the end-members at pressures greater than 200 kbar. Ultimately, monticellite (CaMgSiO4) decomposes into CaSiO3 (perovskite-type)+MgO; merwinite (Ca3MgSi2O8) decomposes into Ca2SiO4(K2NiF4-type)+CaSiO3 (perovskite-type)+MgO; and akermanite (Ca2MgSi2O7) decomposes into CaSiO3 (perovskite-type)+MgO. Note that the decomposition reactions of all phases studied here result in the formation of MgO. Intermediate Ca-Mg silicates transform to pure Ca-silicates plus MgO, while pure Mg2SiO4 transforms to MgSiO3+MgO. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.