ophiolite

[ of-ee-uh-lahyt, oh-fee- ]

noun

, Geology.

1. an assemblage of mafic igneous rocks representing remnants of former oceanic crust.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophiolite¹

1840–50; < Greek óphi ( s ) snake + -o- + -lite; ophite

Example Sentences

Geologists have long theorized that outcroppings in the area contain ophiolite fragments — parts of oceanic crust and the underlying layer of rocks known as the mantle that have been propelled onto land.

From Washington Post

The ocean that produced the Baltimore ophiolite fragments is the long-gone Iapetus, named for the mythical father of Atlas.

From Washington Post

And if you’ve ever wanted to visit an ophiolite, congratulations!

From Scientific American