igneous
Mantle Xenolith in Basalt
Peridotite Xenolith in Basalt
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Dull gray-brown outer groundmass with yellowish-green olivine and dark metallic pyroxene inclusions; Luster: Sub-vitreous to earthy; Texture: Fine-grained basaltic matrix housing coarse-grained peridotite nodule.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Sub-vitreous to earthy
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Dull gray-brown outer groundmass with yellowish-green olivine and dark metallic pyroxene inclusions; Luster: Sub-vitreous to earthy; Texture: Fine-grained basaltic matrix housing coarse-grained peridotite nodule.
Formation & geological history
Formed in the Earth's upper mantle where olivine-rich rock (peridotite) was broken off and carried rapidly to the surface by ascending basaltic magma during volcanic eruptions.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in scientific research to study Earth's mantle composition and deep planetary geodynamics. Also collected by rockhounds and mineral enthusiasts.
Geological facts
Xenolith means 'foreign rock' in Greek. These rocks offer scientists direct physical samples of the Earth's upper mantle, which lies tens of kilometers beneath the crust.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for distinct green or dark nodule-like inclusions embedded within dark, fine-grained volcanic rock. Commonly found in volcanic fields, ocean islands, and rift zones like Hawaii, Arizona, and Germany.
