Dr. Qingyang Hu explains, "Our research suggests this hydrous magma ocean favored the formation of an iron-rich phase called iron-magnesium peroxide." This peroxide, with the formula (Fe ...

The new study posits that water could have mixed with minerals to create iron-magnesium peroxide or (Fe,Mg)O 2. This peroxide attracts iron, so its presence could explain how iron-rich layers ...