OLIVINE XENOLITH IN BASALT - Haute-Loire, France
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In basalt lava
Near Langeac, Haute-Loire, France
Basalt lava from volcanoes is sometimes rich in ‘xenoliths’ which are pieces of ‘foreign’ material found as inclusions in igneous rock. Here the xenolith is a mass of crystals of the iron mineral olivine.
These xenoliths originate at great depth in the Earth’s mantle and are brought to the surface by volcanoes. The gem-quality variety of olivine is known as the gemstone peridot.
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Size: 6 x 5.5 x 4 centimetres
Weight: 150 grams
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