Ho-kwang Mao, Wendy L. Mao. Key problems of the four-dimensional Earth system[J]. Matter and Radiation at Extremes, 2020, 5(3): 038102
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Fig. 1. The division between the outer zone (OZ) and inner zone (IZ). Blue droplets denote H2O in hydrous minerals subducting with a sinking plate into the IZ, and reacting with Fe in the deep lower mantle [reaction (1)] to form FeO2Hx and release hydrogen (green droplets).
Fig. 2. The OZ–IZ interaction processes. (a) A steady-state process of reaction (1) brings H2O in the sinking plate to react with Fe, form oxygen-rich patches (ORPs), and release hydrogen. (b) The ORPs accumulate, partially melt, and form oxygen-rich magma (ORM) chambers (red). (c) A catastrophic event of ORM eruption, forming superplumes, perturbing thermal convections, generating chemical convections, and causing large-scale melting in the lithosphere.