ophiolite
/ˈoʊfiəˌlaɪt/
noun
- A section of the Earth's oceanic crust and the underlying upper mantle that has been uplifted and exposed above sea level, often studied by geologists.
- Ophiolites provide valuable clues about the composition of the ocean crust.
- Hiking through the mountains, we saw an ophiolite with its characteristic green rocks.
- The geologist examined the ophiolite to learn about ancient seafloor spreading.