Theo's Flow Komatiite — Earth Analog to Mar's Nakhlites

About Theo’s Flow — Rare Komatiite

Theo’s Flow is the only known site on Earth that closely approximates the major element composition, mineralogy, and physical structure of the nakhlite parent magmas from Mars. While other flows illustrate parts of that story, none combines all the right traits—chemistry, layering, and preservation—in a single continuous sequence.

Provenance of this Theo's Flow Komatiite Summary

Collected from Theo’s Flow at Pyke’s Hill, Ontario, Canada, this specimen originates from a ~2.7 billion-year-old komatiitic-pyroxenitic lava flow within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Theo’s Flow represents one of Earth’s finest examples of an Fe- and Mg-rich, Al-poor pyroxenite, compositionally similar to the nakhlite meteorites from Mars. These ancient magmas crystallized under extreme mantle temperatures, producing textures and mineral chemistries strikingly similar to those found in Martian clinopyroxenite flows.

Age of Theo’s Flow Komatiite

Theo’s Flow lies within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of the Superior Province—one of the most studied Archean terranes on Earth. Its emplacement age of approximately 2.7 billion years (Ga) places it in the Late Archean period, when Earth’s mantle was significantly hotter, giving rise to high-magnesium, ultramafic lavas now preserved as rare geological analogs.

How Theo’s Flow and Nakhlite Meteorites Are Similar

Theo’s Flow is markedly poor in aluminum and rich in iron and magnesium compared to typical terrestrial tholeiites. Nakhlite meteorites show the same enrichment in Fe and Mg phases, dominated by augite and olivine, with relatively little evolved feldspathic material. Both share the “Al-poor basaltic” signature indicative of crystallization from Fe–Mg-rich magmas.

Pyroxene-Rich Flow Texture

The thick pyroxenite layer of Theo’s Flow contains abundant pyroxene crystals that formed through differentiation of a single, thick melt pulse. Likewise, nakhlites are pyroxene-dominated cumulates—igneous rocks crystallized from slowly cooling magmas. Because of this, many planetary geologists describe Theo’s Flow as the best terrestrial analog yet for nakhlite parent magmas.

Thick Lava Flow / Single Melt Pulse

Theo’s Flow komatiite is approximately 120 meters thick and likely formed from a single magmatic eruption—similar to the way Martian lava flows may have spread under lower gravity, forming thicker deposits than those on Earth. This unique flow structure makes Theo’s Flow an ideal analog for Martian igneous layering.

Textural and Stratigraphic Layering

Theo’s Flow displays classic igneous layering: a peridotite base, a large pyroxenite interior, capped by gabbro and a hyaloclastite (quench) top. Nakhlites, while not perfectly layered, show comparable cumulate textures, indicating crystal settling and magmatic differentiation under similar conditions.

In short: if you’re looking for an Earth analog to the Fe–Mg-rich, Al-poor pyroxenitic rocks of Mars, Theo’s Flow is the strongest terrestrial candidate known to date.

How Theo’s Flow and Nakhlites Differ

• Planetary context: Mars and Earth differ in gravity, oxidation state, and crustal composition, so the analogy is compositional—not identical.
• Komatiite vs. Nakhlite origin: Theo’s Flow is an Archean komatiitic flow; nakhlites are Martian clinopyroxenites from younger magmas (~1.3 Ga).
• Mineralogy: Theo’s Flow’s pyroxenite may contain slightly more olivine and less feldspathic mesostasis than Nakhla-type meteorites.
• Alteration: Nakhlites show aqueous alteration (iddingsite, carbonates) from Martian fluids. Theo’s Flow, though metamorphosed, lacks direct water alteration features.
• Sampling bias: Theo’s Flow provides a complete, accessible section; nakhlites are meteorite fragments that represent a limited snapshot of Martian geology.

Specimen Details

• Size: 60 mm H × 54 mm W × 10 mm D
• Weight: 76 grams
• Includes: Tag, tag stand, Certificate of Authenticity, and detailed information sheet about Theo’s Flow.
• A Summary Table on Theo's Flow Komatiite and Other Potential Nakhlite Analogs is included!
• Free Geology poster titled: Earth's Oldest Rocks and Life, included.

Why Theo’s Flow Is Important

Theo’s Flow provides an extraordinary window into Archean mantle processes and offers a tangible connection to Martian igneous evolution. Its chemistry bridges ancient Earth and Mars, demonstrating how similar magmatic mechanisms operated across worlds. This specimen embodies the shared geological heritage of planetary volcanism.

Add Theo’s Flow to Your Collection Today

This extraordinary specimen formed during Earth’s Archean Eon, when mantle temperatures were far higher than they are today. Theo’s Flow preserves a complete igneous sequence—from peridotite to pyroxenite to gabbro—making it one of the planet’s best-preserved volcanic analogs to Martian magmatism. Ideal for geology collectors, educators, and planetary science enthusiasts seeking authentic specimens that reveal the shared volcanic history of Earth and Mars.

Ships with: Tag, display stand, Certificate of Authenticity, and detailed information sheet about Theo’s Flow.