Pyroxenite: A Coarse-Grained Igneous Rock
Pyroxenite is a type of ultramafic igneous rock composed mainly of pyroxene minerals. It is usually dark in color and has a coarse-grained texture, forming from the slow cooling of magma deep within the Earth’s crust or mantle.
Pyroxenite is commonly found in layered intrusions and ophiolite complexes. It may contain small amounts of olivine, amphibole, or plagioclase, depending on its formation environment. The rock is dense and rich in magnesium and iron, which gives it its dark appearance.
Key characteristics of pyroxenite include:
Predominantly composed of pyroxene minerals
Coarse-grained texture due to slow crystallization
Dense and heavy rock with dark color
Found in deep-seated igneous formations
By studying pyroxenite, geologists can gain insights into the composition of the Earth’s mantle and the processes of igneous rock formation.