Effects of iron on the lattice thermal conductivity of Earth’s deep mantle and implications for mantle dynamics

Significance Presence of iron in Earth’s lower mantle may critically affect its physical properties and thermochemical structures. However, its effects on thermal conductivity and dynamics of deep mantle remain unknown. We studied lattice thermal conductivity of lower-mantle ferropericlase to 120 GPa using ultrafast optics. We observed an enhanced iron substitution effect in the low-spin iron-rich ferropericlase, with thermal conductivity that...