How was it verified that subducted plates reach the core-mantle boundary?

By matching the experimental temperature-pressure phase boundary of SiO2 changing into seifertite with observed seismic velocity anomalies beneath Central America and Hawaii.

A high-density crystalline form of silicon dioxide (SiO2) that is stable only under the extreme pressures and temperatures corresponding to the lowermost mantle.

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Discovery of Oceanic Crust Rocks Subducted Deep into the Earth: Integration of Experiments, Theoretical Calculations, and Seismic Observations Reveals Plates Reach Near the Core

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A joint research group from Meiji University, JASRI, the University of Tokyo, and Okayama University has discovered new evidence indicating that rocks subducted along with oceanic plates have reached the core-mantle boundary (approx. 2,900 km depth). They precisely mapped the phase boundary of SiO2 changing to high-density seifertite at SPring-8 and validated this against global seismic observations. Their study was published in Scientific Reports.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How was it verified that subducted plates reach the core-mantle boundary?: A: By matching the experimental temperature-pressure phase boundary of SiO2 changing into seifertite with observed seismic velocity anomalies beneath Central America and Hawaii.
Q: What is seifertite?: A: A high-density crystalline form of silicon dioxide (SiO2) that is stable only under the extreme pressures and temperatures corresponding to the lowermost mantle.
Q: Which organizations participated in this joint research project?: A: The project was carried out by researchers from Meiji University, JASRI, the University of Tokyo, NIMS, Okayama University, and Kyoto University.