harzburgiitti

Harzburgite is a coarse-grained, ultramafic igneous rock that is composed primarily of olivine and orthopyroxene. It is named after the Harz Mountains in Germany, where it was first described. Harzburgite is a type of peridotite, which is a group of rocks that are rich in magnesium and iron. Peridotite is typically found in the Earth's mantle, and harzburgite is one of the most common types of peridotite found in ophiolite complexes, which are sections of oceanic crust and upper mantle that have been obducted onto continental crust.

Harzburgite is characterized by its green to yellowish-green color, which is due to the presence of olivine. The rock has a coarse-grained texture, with olivine crystals ranging from 1 to 5 millimeters in size. Orthopyroxene is also present in the rock, but in smaller amounts than olivine. Harzburgite may also contain small amounts of clinopyroxene, spinel, and plagioclase.

Harzburgite is important in the study of the Earth's mantle because it is thought to be a representative of the upper mantle. The rock is often used in geochemical studies to understand the composition and evolution of the mantle. Harzburgite can also be found in some volcanic rocks, where it may have been formed by the partial melting of mantle material.

Harzburgite is not typically used as a building material due to its coarse-grained texture and low strength. However, it can be used as a decorative stone in landscaping and architecture. The rock is also of interest to collectors and mineral enthusiasts due to its distinctive green color and the presence of large olivine crystals.