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Ophiolite identification and geology

A sequence of mafic and ultramafic rocks interpreted as a fragment of oceanic crust and upper mantle that has been tectonically emplaced obducted onto continental crust. A complete ophiolite sequence consists of from bottom to top : mantle peridotite, layered gabbro, sheeted dikes, pillow basalts, and deep-sea sediments. Ophiolites are critical evidence for the existence of ancient ocean basins. Field: petrology. Example: The Troodos ophiolite in Cyprus is one of the best-preserved and most-studied ophiolite sequences in the world, representing a complete section of Cretaceous oceanic crust and upper mantle with associated massive sulfide copper deposits.. Related terms: Oceanic crust, Obduction, Peridotite, Pillow basalt.

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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
2026-03-30T15:19:42.127987+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.

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Common questions

What does Ophiolite mean in geology?
A sequence of mafic and ultramafic rocks interpreted as a fragment of oceanic crust and upper mantle that has been tectonically emplaced obducted onto continental crust. A complete ophiolite sequence consists of from bottom to top : mantle peridotite, layered gabbro, sheeted dikes, pillow basalts, and deep-sea sediments. Ophiolites are critical evidence for the existence of ancient ocean basins.
What is an example of Ophiolite?
The Troodos ophiolite in Cyprus is one of the best-preserved and most-studied ophiolite sequences in the world, representing a complete section of Cretaceous oceanic crust and upper mantle with associated massive sulfide copper deposits.
Which earth-science field uses the term Ophiolite?
Ophiolite is used in petrology.
Which terms are related to Ophiolite?
Related terms in this reference are Oceanic crust, Obduction, Peridotite, Pillow basalt.

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