Abstract
Troodos is a classical ophiolite complex. It is proposed that the serpentinized harzburgites that now form the top of the mountain and represent the originally lowest part of the ophiolite sequence rose as a diapir. This diapiric rise is caused by the pervasive serpentinization of a suboceanic harzburgite, due to rock-sea water interaction. The serpentinization caused a 44% expansion of the rocks. Contrary to salt diapirism, the driving force for this diapiric rise is not so much the difference in density, but the volume increase asscociated with the transformation of harzburgite into serpentinite. The overlying gabbros, sheeted dike complex and pillow lavas were pierced by this serpentinite diapir but barely deformed. Their interaction with sea water was li- mited to some pyroxenes in the gabbros being transformed to amphiboles, and epidotisation of some of the dikes in the sheeted dike complex. The location of steep faults in the Troodos massif is determined by the contrasting expansion behavior of different rock-types on both sides of the fault.
Highlights
Troodos is a classical ophiolite complex, representing a slow spreading zone
It is proposed that the serpentinized harzburgites that form the top of the mountain and represent the originally lowest part of the ophiolite sequence rose as a diapir
This diapiric rise is caused by the pervasive serpentinization of a suboceanic harzburgite, due to rock-sea water interaction
Summary
Troodos is a classical ophiolite complex, representing a slow spreading zone. Pillow lavas, sheeted dike complex, gabbros, layered dunites and mantle rocks (serpentinized harzburgites) are all represented. The top of Troodos Mountain is composed of pervasively serpentinized harzburgites, which represent the lowest part of the ophiolite sequence. It is well known that serpentinites can be ductilely deformed under stress, like rock salt. In analogy to salt diapirism, the serpentinized harzburgites around the top of Troodos mountain on Cyprus are interpreted as a serpentinite diapir. Serpentinite diapirism has been described many times, often from fore-arc environments [1,2]. The volume expansion associated with serpentinization is considered to be the main driving force behind the serpentinite diapirism. In future research on ophiolite complexes this tectonic role of serpentinization should be taken into account
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