Olivine

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Olivine

Olivine (/ˈɒlɪˌviːn/) is a group of rock-forming minerals that are typically found in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks such as basalt and gabbro. They are also found in meteorites.

Etymology

The term "olivine" is derived from its typically olive-green color, thought to be a result of traces of nickel, though it may alter to a reddish color from the oxidation of iron. The word "olivine" was coined by A.G. Werner in 1780.

Composition

Olivine is a solid solution between two end-member minerals: fayalite (Fe2SiO4) and forsterite (Mg2SiO4). The ratio of these two minerals within olivine determines its exact chemical composition.

Related Terms

  • Peridot: A gem-quality transparent variety of olivine.
  • Dunite: A type of rock that is composed almost entirely of olivine.
  • Pallasite: A type of meteorite that consists of olivine crystals embedded in a matrix of metallic iron and nickel.

See Also

External links

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