Alexandria Digital Research Library

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Silicate Geoliquids

Author:
Martin, George Benjamin
Degree Grantor:
University of California, Santa Barbara. Geological Sciences
Degree Supervisor:
Frank Spera
Place of Publication:
[Santa Barbara, Calif.]
Publisher:
University of California, Santa Barbara
Creation Date:
2011
Issued Date:
2011
Topics:
Geophysics and Geochemistry
Keywords:
Fayalite
Anorthite-diopside
Silicate melts
Planetary evolution
Forsterite
Genres:
Online resources and Dissertations, Academic
Dissertation:
Ph.D.--University of California, Santa Barbara, 2011
Description:

In order to understand the evolution and current state of the Earth's interior and the interior of other rocky planets, it is essential to understand the thermodynamics, melt structure, and transport properties of liquid silicates that comprise the majority of erupted magmas on Earth and the Earth's interior, namely: forsterite, fayalite, and the 1-bar eutectic composition of the system anorthite-diopside. I used Classical Molecular Dynamics methods to simulate these three systems and extract atomistic measurements that were used to calculate physical properties of these melts at high temperatures and pressures. I found that these techniques can be used to duplicate many laboratory and seismology measurements of the same properties. I also found computational evidence for melt segregation by density as an explanation for the widely held theory that the Mg,Fe/O ratio in the Earth is 2 in the upper mantle and 1 in the lower mantle.

Physical Description:
1 online resource (119 pages)
Format:
Text
Collection(s):
UCSB electronic theses and dissertations
ARK:
ark:/48907/f3pc308h
ISBN:
9781267194282
Catalog System Number:
990037518910203776
Rights:
Inc.icon only.dark In Copyright
Copyright Holder:
George Martin
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