ultramafic

American  

[uhl-truh-maf-ik] / ˌʌl trəˈmæf ɪk /

adjective

Geology.

1. ultrabasic.

---

ultramafic Scientific  

/ ŭl′trə-măf′ĭk /

1. Containing mainly mafic minerals. Used of igneous rocks and often used interchangeably with ultrabasic. Dunite is an ultramafic rock.

---

Etymology

Origin of ultramafic

First recorded in 1940–45; ultra- + mafic

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ultramafic

Start with ultramafic wastes, the calcium- and magnesium-rich rock in which diamonds, along with metals such as nickel, platinum, and palladium are found.

From Science Magazine ● Sep. 3, 2020

For igneous rock, the composition is divided into four groups: felsic, intermediate, mafic, and ultramafic.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2017

This differentiated the Earth from a homogenous planet into a heterogeneous one with layers of felsic crust, mafic crust, ultramafic mantle, and iron and nickel core.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2017

Explain why ultramafic intrusions, like those of the Muskox Intrusion, are relatively common in Archean rocks, but rare in Phanerozoic rocks.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

The ultramafic rock of the mantle lies below that.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015