Elastic anisotropy of FeSiO3 end-members of the perovskite and post-perovskite phases -: art. no. L01304

The athermal elastic constants of the perovskite and post-perovskite polymorphs of pure end-member FeSiO3 were calculated from ab initio calculations. We predict that incorporating ten mole percent FeSiO3 together with four mole percent Al2O3 into MgSiO3 reduces the perovskite to post-perovskite phase transition pressure by 5 GPa. Small changes in the seismic properties of the post-perovskite phase due to the incorporation of iron and alumina are compatible with observations for the lower mantle. MgSiO3 post-perovskite enriched in fifty percent or more iron may be responsible for ultra-low velocity zones at the base of the mantle.