The distribution of H2O in the Earth is under debate. Although liquid water covers 70% of the surface, the oceans represent only about 0.025 wt% of the planet's mass - far less water than thought to have been present during Earth's formation. If this "missing" water exists in the Earth, does it reside in the deep mantle? Can we detect it seismically?
Recognition of the ability of some deep-mantle minerals to store vast quantities of water has propelled an interdisciplinary field of research on these two questions, and more.
This monograph advances the field with experimental, modeling, and seismic studies that focus on the physical characteristics of water-bearing minerals, particularly in the potentially hydrous transition zone, and our detection abilities in the deep Earth.