Al <sub>2</sub> O <sub>3</sub> in Anorthositic Slabs: A New Perspective on LLSVPs and Seismic Velocity Variations

Abstract Aluminum is a key component of crustal and mantle minerals, influencing melting and geochemical evolution within the Earth. Al 2 O 3 exists as corundum at the surface and in upper mantle conditions, but transforms into high‐pressure phases like Rh 2 O 3 (II) at lower mantle depths, enabling stability over a wide pressure range. It is also a dominant phase in anorthositic lithologies, which may represent remnants of Earth's early crust and contribute to deep mantle heterogeneities. We calculate the thermoelastic properties of these Al 2 O 3 phases and model their behavior in mantle lithologies such as anorthosite, mid ocean ridge basalt, and pyrolite along relevant geotherms. Results suggest that Al 2 O 3 could persist as Rh 2 O 3 (II) within Large Low Shear Velocity Provinces and the Dʺ layer, while corundum could remain stable in high‐velocity zones. Integrating these phases into multiphase assemblage provides new constraints on deep mantle composition and supports the idea of preserved primordial crustal materials in the lower mantle.

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Publication Details

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Published
2026-04-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025gl119281
Primary Topic
High-pressure geophysics and materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Al 2 O 3 in Anorthositic Slabs: A New Perspective on LLSVPs and Seismic Velocity Variations

Gaurav Shukla, Vincent Adongo, Ishita Das
Geophysical Research Letters
High-pressure geophysics and materials
article

Al 2 O 3 in Anorthositic Slabs: A New Perspective on LLSVPs and Seismic Velocity Variations

Gaurav Shukla, Vincent Adongo, Ishita Das
article en

Abstract

Abstract Aluminum is a key component of crustal and mantle minerals, influencing melting and geochemical evolution within the Earth. Al 2 O 3 exists as corundum at the surface and in upper mantle conditions, but transforms into high‐pressure phases like Rh 2 O 3 (II) at lower mantle depths, enabling stability over a wide pressure range. It is also a dominant phase in anorthositic lithologies, which may represent remnants of Earth's early crust and contribute to deep mantle heterogeneities. We calculate the thermoelastic properties of these Al 2 O 3 phases and model their behavior in mantle lithologies such as anorthosite, mid ocean ridge basalt, and pyrolite along relevant geotherms. Results suggest that Al 2 O 3 could persist as Rh 2 O 3 (II) within Large Low Shear Velocity Provinces and the Dʺ layer, while corundum could remain stable in high‐velocity zones. Integrating these phases into multiphase assemblage provides new constraints on deep mantle composition and supports the idea of preserved primordial crustal materials in the lower mantle.

Geophysical Research LettersVol. 53(8)
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata (IN)
Science and Engineering Research Board
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 15%
High-pressure geophysics and materials
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Al <sub>2</sub> O <sub>3</sub> in Anorthositic Slabs: A New Perspective on LLSVPs and Seismic Velocity Variations — Gaurav Shukla, Vincent Adongo, et al. · Geophysical Research Letters (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS