BH250-182
Title
BH250-182
Subject
Clinopyroxenite
Description
Major Minerals: clinopyroxene
Clinopyroxenite is an ultramafic rock composed predominantly of clinopyroxene (Cpx), typically comprising more than 90% clinopyroxene by volume. It represents the clinopyroxene-rich endmember of the pyroxenite family.
Cumulate Rocks in Mafic-Ultramafic Intrusions:
Clinopyroxenites can form as cumulate layers through fractional crystallization in large mafic magma chambers, such as the Stillwater and Bushveld Complexes. Clinopyroxene crystallizes from primitive basaltic to picritic magmas during cooling.
Mantle Pyroxenites:
Clinopyroxenites also form in the mantle via melt-rock reactions, for example, when peridotite interacts with silicate melts. These rocks typically occur as veins, layers, or dikes within peridotite bodies.
Clinopyroxenite is an ultramafic rock composed predominantly of clinopyroxene (Cpx), typically comprising more than 90% clinopyroxene by volume. It represents the clinopyroxene-rich endmember of the pyroxenite family.
Cumulate Rocks in Mafic-Ultramafic Intrusions:
Clinopyroxenites can form as cumulate layers through fractional crystallization in large mafic magma chambers, such as the Stillwater and Bushveld Complexes. Clinopyroxene crystallizes from primitive basaltic to picritic magmas during cooling.
Mantle Pyroxenites:
Clinopyroxenites also form in the mantle via melt-rock reactions, for example, when peridotite interacts with silicate melts. These rocks typically occur as veins, layers, or dikes within peridotite bodies.
Creator
Bereket Haileab
Source
From the rock collection of Bereket Haileab. Sample BH250-182.
Housed at Carleton College in Minnesota.
Housed at Carleton College in Minnesota.
Type
Hand sample and thin section
Relation
Collection
Citation
Bereket Haileab, “BH250-182,” BH250 Mineralogy Teaching Collection, accessed April 25, 2026, https://bereket-haileab.geology.sites.carleton.edu/items/show/219.