Pyroxenes and olivines: Structural implications of shock-wave data for high pressure phases

The nature of the shock-induced, high-pressure phases of olivine and pyroxene rocks is examined in the light of data for the densities of a new class of perovskite-related silicate structures. Also examined are some new Hugoniot and release adiabat data for bronzite. Reexamining available shock data for magnesian pyroxenes and olivines leads to the conclusion that they define a mixed phase (or disequilibrium) region to about the 100 GPa range, related to the kinetics of phase transformation in these silicates. By recognizing this point, certain discrepancies in previous interpretations of shock data can be explained. A set of theoretical Hugonoits for pyroxene and olivine stoichiometry, perovskite-bearing assemblages was constructed based on their properties deduced from high-pressure work, showing that the shock data is compatible with transformations to perovskites in the 45-7GPa region. Finally, the shock data indicate very similar properties for olivine and pyroxene at high pressures making them both equally likely candidates for the lower mantle.