PERIDOTITE Meaning and
Definition
-
Peridotite is a type of ultramafic rock composed predominantly of the mineral olivine, along with other dark-colored minerals such as pyroxene and amphibole. It is primarily made up of iron and magnesium-rich silicate minerals. The high concentration of these elements in peridotite gives it its distinct dark green to black coloration.
Due to its high iron and magnesium content, peridotite is considered to be an essential component of the Earth’s mantle, which lies beneath the crust. It forms through the solidification and crystallization of magma deep within the Earth's interior.
Peridotite is commonly found in areas where tectonic plates interact, such as geologic plate boundaries and oceanic ridges. It is often associated with the formation of ophiolites, which are sections of oceanic crust that have been uplifted onto land. These rocks can also be observed in xenoliths, fragments of peridotite that have been transported to the Earth's surface during volcanic eruptions.
One notable feature of peridotite is its high melting point, which makes it resistant to melting during the process of plate subduction. As a result, when peridotite is brought to the Earth's surface through geological processes, it can provide valuable insights into the composition and dynamics of the mantle, as well as the formation and evolution of the Earth's crust. Additionally, peridotite has commercial applications, such as being used as a source of valuable minerals or as a gemstone.
Common Misspellings for PERIDOTITE
- oeridotite
- leridotite
- -eridotite
- 0eridotite
- pwridotite
- psridotite
- pdridotite
- prridotite
- p4ridotite
- p3ridotite
- peeidotite
- pedidotite
- pefidotite
- petidotite
- pe5idotite
- pe4idotite
- perudotite
- perjdotite
- perkdotite
- perodotite
Etymology of PERIDOTITE
The word "peridotite" is derived from two different sources. The first part, "peridot", originates from the Arabic word "faridat", which means "gem". This is because peridot, a type of green gemstone, is typically found in association with peridotite rocks.
The second part, "-ite", is a suffix commonly used in geology to denote a type of rock or mineral. It comes from the Greek word "ites", meaning "one belonging to". Therefore, "peridotite" essentially means "the rock associated with peridot", referring to the presence of peridot in these rocks.
Similar spelling word for PERIDOTITE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
