Damon Mcknight
Olivine is a rock-forming mineral that is found in many different rock types around the world. It is a major constituent of the Earth's mantle, the layer found between the crust and the core. Olivine is most abundant deep underground in the Earth's mantle, but various geological processes like volcanism and tectonics allow this common mineral to be found at the surface in specific rock types and locations. Olivine is found in Australia, which is very rich in silicate rocks and a world leader in mining technology.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where is olivine found in Australia? | Western Victoria |
| Olivine in Australia is found in | Volcanic bombs |
| Olivine is a | Group of rock-forming minerals |
| Olivine is found in | Mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks |
| Olivine is found in | Basalt, gabbro, dunite, diabase, and peridotite |
| Olivine is an | Abundant silicate mineral |
| Olivine is a major constituent of | Earth's mantle |
| Olivine is a common | Phenocryst found in mafic igneous rocks |
| Olivine is found in | Kimberlites |
| Olivine is found in | Peridotite |
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What You'll Learn
Olivine in Australia's volcanic rock
Olivine is a rock-forming mineral that is abundant in low-silica mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks. It is typically found in kimberlites, which are ultramafic igneous rocks that originate deep within the mantle. Olivine is also a major constituent of the Earth's mantle, with the upper mantle being composed of over 60% olivine.
In Australia, olivine is found in volcanic rock, specifically in Western Victoria. Olivine is brought up from the Earth's upper mantle during volcanic eruptions and can be found in the resulting volcanic bombs and scoria. These volcanic rocks are a source of olivine, which is used to create the gemstone peridot.
Olivine is an important mineral in the context of climate change due to its ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. As olivine rocks decompose, they absorb atmospheric CO2 and bind it into carbonates in the soil, permanently removing it from the atmosphere. This process is particularly efficient, with less than a litre of crushed olivine capable of capturing the CO2 released by burning a litre of oil.
Australia's abundance of silicate rocks, including olivine, presents opportunities for leadership in renewable and nature-based climate solutions. By utilising silicate rocks to absorb CO2, Australia can establish itself as a leader in the fight against climate change. However, the current processes of blasting, transporting, and crushing these rocks result in significant CO2 emissions, limiting the net benefit of their use.
Olivine is a valuable mineral with a variety of applications, from gemstone production to climate change mitigation. Its presence in Australia's volcanic rock, particularly in Western Victoria, highlights the potential for further exploration and exploitation of this resource.
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Olivine in Western Victoria
Olivine is a crystalline mineral that is a major constituent of the Earth's mantle. It is a common phenocryst found in mafic igneous rocks such as basalt. Olivine is also found in kimberlites, an ultramafic igneous rock that originates deep within the mantle.
In Western Victoria, olivine has been found in a volcano quarry, with specimens present in the Australian Museum's collection. The museum's collection includes olivine in a volcanic bomb, which is a chunk of lava ejected from a volcano during an eruption. This olivine was collected from a quarry at Lake Keilambete, a maar volcano located approximately 4km northwest of Terang in Western Victoria. The lake is a popular destination for fossickers, who can search for marine fossils and minerals/crystals such as calcite, aragonite, and augite.
Olivine has also been found in other parts of Australia, and the country is known for its abundance of silicate rocks, which include olivine. Australia's leadership in mining technology and its large agricultural industry position it to leverage olivine and other silicate rocks in the fight against climate change.
Olivine has the potential to be used for carbon capture and storage, as it absorbs atmospheric CO2 and binds it into carbonates in the soil, permanently removing it from the atmosphere. However, the current processes for blasting, transporting, and crushing rocks result in significant CO2 emissions, limiting the net benefit of using olivine for carbon capture. Nonetheless, with improvements in energy and transport systems, Australia could harness the ability of olivine and other silicate rocks to absorb CO2 and establish itself as a leader in renewable and nature-based climate solutions.
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Olivine in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks
Olivine is a common mineral found in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks, which are formed through the cooling of magma and lava. These rocks are typically rich in magnesium and iron and are often associated with volcanic activity. In Australia, mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks are found in several locations, including New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.
One of the most well-known areas for these rock types is the Lachlan Fold Belt in New South Wales. This region has a long history of volcanic activity and is home to a variety of igneous rock formations, including mafic and ultramafic intrusions. The
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Olivine in basalt
Olivine, a silicate mineral, is typically found in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks, with basalt being one of the most common rock types in which it occurs. Basalt is a fine-grained, extrusive volcanic rock that forms from the
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Olivine in peridotite
Olivine is a silicate mineral that is a major constituent of the Earth's mantle, the layer found between the crust and the core. The upper mantle, approximately 400 kilometres deep, is made up of over 60% olivine. Below that depth, the percentage of olivine decreases but it remains a significant component all the way to the core-mantle boundary, 2900 kilometres deep.
Olivine is typically found in kimberlites, which are ultramafic igneous rocks that originate deep within the mantle. Peridotite is also an ultramafic plutonic rock, composed predominantly of olivine, with smaller amounts of other minerals like pyroxenes. Peridotite makes up large portions of the upper mantle. It is derived from the Earth's mantle, either as solid blocks, fragments, or as crystals accumulated from magmas that formed in the mantle.
Peridotite is a dense, coarse-grained igneous rock. The word peridotite comes from the gemstone peridot, which consists of pale green olivine. Classic peridotite is bright green with some specks of black, although samples tend to be darker green. Peridotite outcrops typically range from earthy bright yellow to dark green. This is because olivine is easily weathered to iddingsite. While green and yellow are the most common colours, peridotitic rocks may exhibit a wide range of colours, including blue, brown, and red.
Peridotite is an important rock in the fight against climate change. As peridotite decomposes, it absorbs atmospheric CO2 and binds it into carbonates in the soil, permanently removing it from the atmosphere. Peridotite is also beneficial to agricultural operations as it returns elements to depleted soils.
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Frequently asked questions
Olivine is found in Western Victoria, Australia. It is also found in a quarry on the side of a volcano in the form of a "volcanic bomb".
Olivine is a rock-forming mineral group. It is one of the first minerals to be altered by weathering and is typically found in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks such as basalt, gabbro, dunite, diabase, and peridotite.
Olivine is used as the gemstone peridot. It is also being studied for its potential to be used to tackle climate change.
