Ophiolites and Their Origins

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 2014 Ophiolites and Their Origins Yildirim Dilek; Yildirim Dilek 1Department of Geology & Environmental Earth Science, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USAE-mail: dileky@miamioh.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Harald Furnes Harald Furnes 2Department of Earth Science & Centre for Geobiology, University of Bergen, 5007 Bergen, Norway Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elements (2014) 10 (2): 93–100. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.10.2.93 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Yildirim Dilek, Harald Furnes; Ophiolites and Their Origins. Elements 2014;; 10 (2): 93–100. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.10.2.93 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Ophiolites are suites of temporally and spatially associated ultramafic, mafic, and felsic rocks that are interpreted to be remnants of ancient oceanic crust and upper mantle. Ophiolites show significant variations in their internal structure, geochemical fingerprints, and emplacement mechanisms. These differences are controlled by (1) the proximity, when formed at the magmatic stage, to a plume or trench; (2) the rate, geometry, and nature of ocean-ridge spreading; (3) mantle composition, temperature, and fertility; and (4) the availability of fluids. The oceanic crust preserved in ophiolites may form in any tectonic setting during the evolution of ocean basins, from the rift–drift and seafloor spreading stages to subduction initiation and terminal closure. An ophiolite is emplaced either from downgoing oceanic lithosphere via subduction-accretion or from the upper plate in a subduction zone through trench–continent collision. Subduction zone tectonics is thus the most important factor in the igneous evolution of ophiolites and their emplacement into continental margins. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.