Olivine
“Earth's most abundant upper mantle mineral”
Olivine is a green magnesium-iron silicate mineral that makes up the majority of Earth's upper mantle. Its gem-quality variety, peridot, has been treasured since ancient Egypt. When olivine weathers at the surface, it reacts with CO₂ in a process that scientists are exploring for carbon capture.
magnesium iron silicate ((Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄), forsterite-fayalite series
Red Sea island of Zabargad (Egypt), Kilauea (Hawaii), Eifel (Germany), San Carlos (Arizona, USA), Norway
6.5-7
Olivine has been found in meteorites and in comet dust collected by NASA's Stardust mission, and it's been detected on the Moon and Mars.
Test Your Knowledge
Why does olivine weather extremely rapidly compared to most other silicate minerals?
Related Specimens
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