Formation of the 15 Å phase as the most expanded hydrated mineral in cold subduction zone.

Talc, as an important class of clay minerals constituting subducting oceanic crust, has long been known to undergo interlayer expansion by ~6% to contain net ~13 wt.% water into the 'so-called' 10 Å phase. Although subduction fluid is mildly alkaline and includes various salts and other dissolved species, its effect on the stability of subducting minerals has not yet been considered.

Oxidation of iron by giant impact and its implication on the formation of reduced atmosphere in the early Earth.

Giant impact-driven redox processes in the atmosphere and magma ocean played crucial roles in the evolution of Earth. However, because of the absence of rock records from that time, understanding these processes has proven challenging. Here, we present experimental results that simulate the giant impact-driven reactions between iron and volatiles (HO and CO) using x-ray free electron laser (XFEL) as fast heat pump and structural probe.