ophiolite

[of-ee-uh-lahyt, oh-fee-]

noun

Geology.

1. an assemblage of mafic igneous rocks representing remnants of former oceanic crust.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophiolite¹

1840–50; < Greek óphi ( s ) snake + -o- + -lite; ophite

Example Sentences

Geologists have long theorized that outcroppings in the area contain ophiolite fragments — parts of oceanic crust and the underlying layer of rocks known as the mantle that have been propelled onto land.

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The ocean that produced the Baltimore ophiolite fragments is the long-gone Iapetus, named for the mythical father of Atlas.

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And if you’ve ever wanted to visit an ophiolite, congratulations!

Read more on Scientific American