Abstract
A one-dimensional transient (pulse) method for thermophysical property measurements has been applied to small samples of mantle materials in a uniaxial split-sphere high-pressure apparatus. Thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of fused silica and garnet have been measured. At pressures up to 8. 3 GPa the thermal conductivity and the thermal diffusivity of fused silica decrease with increasing pressure. For a principal mantle mineral, garnet, the pressure derivatives of thermal conductivity and the thermal diffusivity are positive: they are 2 per cent of increase a GPa at room temperature over 5 GPa.