9614612 Liebermann Phase transformations in mantle minerals at high pressures and temperatures strongly influence the physical properties and dynamic processes in the Earth's interior. The PI proposes to perform ultrasonic measurements on high-pressure mantle phases to determine their elastic properties at both high P, and simultaneous high P-T conditions that exist in the Earth's transition zone. The data will be used to improve and refine mineralogical models of the mantle through comparisons with seismic velocity data. This research program takes advantage of the special opportunities provided by the multi-anvil, large- volume facilities of the Stony Brook High Pressure Laboratory and the associated analytical facilities of the NSF Science and Technology Center for High Pressure Research (CHiPR). ***
