Clinopyroxenites

Clinopyroxenites are igneous rocks of ultramafic composition, primarily composed of clinopyroxene minerals. These rocks are characterized by a very coarse-grained texture, reflecting slow cooling deep within the Earth's mantle. The dominant mineral is typically augite or a related clinopyroxene. While clinopyroxene is the essential component, other minerals may be present in smaller amounts, including olivine, plagioclase, amphibole, and even ore minerals like magnetite or ilmenite.

Clinopyroxenites are often found as xenoliths within alkaline volcanic rocks, providing samples of mantle material that have been brought to the surface. They can also occur as layers within larger ultramafic intrusions, such as layered gabbros and peridotites. In some instances, they form dikes or sills. The mineralogy and texture of clinopyroxenites are indicative of their formation environment, typically under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions characteristic of the upper mantle. Their study offers valuable insights into the composition and processes occurring within the Earth's mantle.