Structural Stability of Natural Magnesiochromite at High-Temperature-Pressure Conditions

The podiform chromitites in the Luobusha ophiolite have been thought to experience a very deep formation,but the maximum depth is still an open issue.Here,we have investigated the structural stability of natural magnesiochromite using the synchrotron-based powder X-ray diffraction and diamond anvil cells up to 48.6 GPa and 2450 K.The results have shown that spinel-type magnesiochromite first decomposes into corundum-type‘Cr_(2)O_(3)’+B1-type‘MgO’at 11–14 GPa and 1250–1450 K,then modified ludwigite(mLd)-type‘Mg_(2)Cr_(2)O_(5)’+corundum-type‘Cr_(2)O_(3)’at 14.3–20.5 GPa and 1300–2000 K,and finally CaTi_(2)O_(4)-type phase at 24.5 GPa.During the quenching procession from high-temperature-pressure conditions,the mLd-type phase appeared again and was kept at ambient conditions.We also obtained the isothermal equation states of spinel-type and CaTi_(2)O_(4)-type phases,revealing the composition effect on their elasticities.Based on the updated results,we propose chromitites could not experience pressure exceeding∼14.3 GPa(approximate maximum depth∼400 km)in the subduction-recycling genesis model.