📖 what
What is peridotite?
Quick Answer
Peridotite is a dense, dark ultramafic rock made mostly of olivine and pyroxene, and it makes up much of Earth’s upper mantle.
The Full Story
Peridotite is one of the main rocks geologists associate with the mantle, though it is usually found at the surface only in tectonic slices or volcanic fragments. Its high magnesium and iron content makes it heavier and darker than common crustal rocks like granite. When peridotite melts partially, it can generate basaltic magma, which feeds many volcanoes. Because of this, it is central to understanding how Earth’s interior produces new crust.
Key Facts
1.It is rich in olivine and pyroxene
2.It is the dominant rock type in the upper mantle
3.Partial melting of peridotite can produce basalt magma
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The rock deep inside Earth that fuels volcanoes"
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