GeoMiner Free earth-science tools

Built by a geologist

Gabbro identification and geology

A dark-colored, coarse-grained phaneritic mafic intrusive igneous rock composed primarily of calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene augite , with or without olivine. Gabbro is the intrusive equivalent of basalt and forms the lower portion of the oceanic crust. It has a silica content of approximately 45–52% and a specific gravity of about 3.0. Field: petrology. Example: The Bushveld Complex in South Africa contains a massive layered gabbro intrusion that hosts the world's largest reserves of platinum group elements, chromium, and vanadium.. Related terms: Basalt, Mafic, Diorite, Oceanic crust.

  • Browse all geology and mining glossary terms — Compare this entry with the complete GeoMiner glossary collection.
  • Previous: Fumarole — A vent or opening in the Earth's surface from which volcanic gases and steam are emitted, typically found in active volcanic areas, geothermal fields…
  • Next: Gangue — The commercially worthless rock and mineral material that surrounds or is intermixed with valuable ore minerals in a deposit.
  • Basalt
  • Mafic

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:41.999576+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

Read GeoMiner's editorial methodology or report a content issue.

Common questions

What does Gabbro mean in geology?
A dark-colored, coarse-grained phaneritic mafic intrusive igneous rock composed primarily of calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene augite , with or without olivine. Gabbro is the intrusive equivalent of basalt and forms the lower portion of the oceanic crust. It has a silica content of approximately 45–52% and a specific gravity of about 3.0.
What is an example of Gabbro?
The Bushveld Complex in South Africa contains a massive layered gabbro intrusion that hosts the world's largest reserves of platinum group elements, chromium, and vanadium.
Which earth-science field uses the term Gabbro?
Gabbro is used in petrology.
Which terms are related to Gabbro?
Related terms in this reference are Basalt, Mafic, Diorite, Oceanic crust.

JavaScript is loading the interactive GeoMiner experience. The identification tools provide educational candidates, not laboratory confirmation.