Komatiite Barberton Greenstone Belt [190 gm - 3.5 Ga]

This is the best komatiite from Barberton, South Africa, you could ever own! Excellent front, back, and side features, exceptional spinifex blades, and great color.

Komatiite is a fascinating ultramafic volcanic rock with a unique origin. This specimen of komatiite is from the Pioneer Complex, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa. Komatiites have particular features, and no other rock on Earth looks quite like them. Their age and appearance put komatiites in a class all by themselves!

Here are some interesting facts about komatiite:

Definition and Characteristics:
- Komatiites are defined as having crystallized from a lava with at least 18 wt% magnesium oxide (MgO).
- They are classified as 'picritic rocks' due to their low silicon, potassium, and aluminum content, along with high to extremely high magnesium levels.
- The name "komatiite" comes from its type locality along the Komati River in South Africa.
- A distinctive feature of komatiites is the "spinifex texture", which consists of large dendritic plates of olivine and pyroxene.

Geological Age:
- Almost all komatiites were formed during the Archean Eon, which occurred approximately 4.03 to 2.5 billion years ago.
- The restriction in age is likely due to the cooling of the Earth's mantle. During the Archaean, the mantle may have been 100–250 °C (212–482 °F) hotter than it is today.
- The early Earth had higher heat production due to residual heat from planetary accretion and greater abundance of radioactive isotopes.

Specifics About this Specimen: Photos are of the front, side and back.

Size of Specimen: 88mm L X 67mm W X 27mm D; Weight: 190 grams. Plexiglass riser and sizing cube are not included.

It ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, information about komatiite, tag, tag stand and XRF.

This top tier specimen of komatiite. The superb spinifex texture AND an XRF make this specimen excel in every way. 

Buy one of early Earth's rarest and oldest lava from Barberton, South Africa and enjoy the beauty of this terrific specimen!