Where is Peridotite found?
Peridotite
Got a photo? Identify rocks instantly with the Rockby app
Open the appPeridotite occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Peridotite
Ophiolite Complexes Worldwide
Examples include the Troodos Ophiolite (Cyprus), Semail Ophiolite (Oman), Coast Range Ophiolite (California, USA), and various ophiolites in the Alps, Himalayas, and Appalachians. These represent fragments of oceanic lithosphere obducted onto continental margins.
Kimberlite Pipes
Diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes (e.g., in South Africa, Canada, Siberia) often contain peridotite xenoliths, providing direct samples of the Earth's mantle.
Layered Mafic Intrusions
Large igneous complexes such as the Bushveld Complex (South Africa), Stillwater Complex (Montana, USA), and Skaergaard Intrusion (Greenland) contain cumulate peridotites.
Oceanic Fracture Zones and Mid-Ocean Ridges
Peridotite can be exposed on the seafloor in areas of extensive faulting and slow-spreading ridges, where mantle material is brought closer to the surface.
Collecting tips
- Look for Ophiolite Sequences. In areas known for ophiolites, peridotite will often be found alongside serpentinite, gabbro, and pillow basalts. It typically forms the basal unit of an ophiolite.
- Identify Serpentinization. Many peridotites are partially or completely serpentinized. Look for greenish, often slickensided (polished by faulting) rocks with a waxy luster. Fresh peridotite is much harder and darker.
- Check for Associated Minerals. Chromite (black, metallic, dense) and magnetite are common accessory minerals, especially in serpentinized peridotites. Garnet (pyrope) may be present in mantle xenoliths.
- Consider Density. Peridotite is a dense rock. A hand sample will feel noticeably heavy for its size compared to more common crustal rocks.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Dark green to black, often with yellowish-green olivine.
- Luster:
- Dull to greasy (fresh), waxy to silky (serpentinized).
- Streak:
- White to pale green (olivine), colorless (pyroxene), black (magnetite if present).
Explore Peridotite
Identify rocks anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full database, and your personal collection.