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Olivine
Structure
Olivine is a common green or brown rock forming
minerals which consists of a solid-solution series
between Forsterite (Fo) and Fayalite (Fa).
It is an orthorhombic orthosilicate with isolated SiO4
tetrahedra linked by divalent Mg or Fe ions. The
oxygen atoms lie in sheets parallel to the (100) plane
and the points of the tetrahedra point in alternate
directions.
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Chemistry (Mg,Fe)2SiO4
Olivine is forms what is called an isomorphous solid
solution series that ranges between two end
members:
Forsterite Mg2SiO4 to Fayalite Fe2SiO4.
As an aside: The Fe rich members (Fayalite) have
Mn and Ca entering the crystal whereas the Mg rich
members (Forsterite) have Ni and Cr entering the
lattice.
Solid Solution Series
In nature, a complete series from Mg to Fe olivine
can be found. However, some problems arise in
natural, almost pure Fayalite as Mn or Ca (divalent)
can substitute for the Fe up to 1%.
It is also important to note that ferric (Fe3+) iron
does not substitute into olivine. Any ferric iron
present is contained in Spinel group (MgAl2O4)
inclusions usually in the Mg (forsterite) end
member.
Alterations
Olivines are not stable at surface temperatures
because of their high temperature of formation. They
are therefore are susceptible to low grade
metamorphism and weathering.
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Alterations cont.
3Mg2SiO4 + 4H2O + SiO2  2Mg3Si2O5(OH)4
(olivine) (serpentine)
2Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 + 3CO2  Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 + 3MgCO3 +3H2O
(serpentine) (talc) (magnesite)

These sort of minerals are very common in

ultramafic and basic plutonic rocks (ie basic lavas).
Iddingsite MgO·Fe2O3·3SiO2·4H2O is a brown,
pleochroic mineral with strong birefringence found
in basalts and basalt porphyries as an alteration
product of olivine (pseudomorph).

Optical and Physical Properties

Refractive Index and 2V angle change linearly
with composition from Fo to Fa.
Forsterite has 2V=85° to 90°, Opt. (+)
Fayalite has 2V=47° to 54°, Opt. (-)
Intermediate compositions have 2V=70° to 90°,
Opt. (+) or (-)
Cleavage is virtually absent in basic olivines and
rare in Fe varieties although sometimes present on
some surfaces.
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Distinguishing Features
•large 2Vangle
•high birefringence
•lack of cleavage, fractures present
•extinction parallel to crystal outline
•shape
•alteration
•lack of colour
•zoning is rare in plutonic rocks but not
uncommon in more basic rocks.

Phase Relationships
The Forsterite - Fayalite phase diagram is a classic
that represents one of the simplist systems.
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Phase Relationships cont.
This is an equilibrium diagram plotting
Temperature vs composition. Results are based on
experimental studies of synthetic olivine mixtures.

Simple binary system

Forsterite has melting point of 1890 °C
Fayalite has melting point of 1205 °C
Therefore, the first olivine crystals to form should
be Mg rich Forsterite at ~1889 °C and, as a
consequence, the remaining liquid would become
progressively more Fe rich.

Look at the phase diagram:

The two intercepts on the temperature axis are at
1890 ° and 1205 °C, Fo=100% and Fa=100%
respectively.
The upper curve is the LIQUIDUS and describes
the temperature range where the onset of
crystallization occurs.
The lower curve is the SOLIDUS and describes the
onset of a solid.
Between the curves both liquid and solid material
exists.
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Phase Relationships cont.
Example:
A melt of composition Fo50, Fa50 exists at
temperature T1 (X on diagram).
Cool the melt, at T2 the line for Fo50, Fa50 hits the
LIQUIDUS (point Y). At this point crystals of Fo80
begin to form from the liquid. The remaining liquid
becomes more Fe or Fayalite rich.
As cooling continues, the liquid becomes
progressively more Fe rich, therefore the crystals
forming also become more Fe rich.
At temperature T3 the last of the liquid is used up.
A liquid of composition Fo50, Fa50 has to
completely solidify by the time the temperature
drops to T3 (the SOLIDUS).
Under equilibrium conditions, the crystals are
constantly altered and converted to a composition
approaching Fo50 from a Fo80 start. Equilibrium
implies slow cooling and constant diffusion of Fe
ions into the crystals. HOWEVER, it is very
common for DISEQUILIBRIUM to occur.
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Phase Relationships cont.
Disequilibrium can occur by:
(a) Removal of crystals.
Crystals precipitate or settle out of the melt and sink
due to higher density.
As crystals are removed, the remaining liquid
becomes more Fe rich Fo40  Fo30.
This in turn extends the range of crystallization to
lower temperatures.
The final crystals in our example would be a Fa
composition of about 80%.
Result: Cummulative Rocks - many basaltic piles.
(b) Do not allow Diffusion
If crystals are layered and cooled fast enough, we get
the first crystals layered off or zoned by further layers.
This has the same effect as removal of crystals.

Zoned Crystal
Mg core, Fe rims

Pure olivine melts do not exist in nature, however,

the diagram is useful to explain what we see.
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Olivine Paragenesis
What type of rock is olivine found in?
(i) Fo-rich olivine (range Fo80-90) is one of the first
phases to crystallize from basaltic melts. Typical of
ocean floor or Hawaii. Pure Fo is unknown in igneous
rocks. Get a range from Fo (Mg) rich to Fa (Fe) rich.
(ii) Generally more Fe rich olivine in basaltic lavas,
dykes and sills (usually as phenocrysts). Why?
Magmatic differentiation. Deeper in the crust you get
Mg rich olivine in gabbros and ultramafic mono-
mineralic rocks like dunite. These form in magma
chambers (often as bands of euhedral crystals in
gabbro)
(iii) If a basalt is crystallizing plagioclase as well, you
get Troctolites (plag + olivine rock). What type of
plag? Ca-rich.
(iv) Olivine nodules occur in certain types of lavas
(Mona Kea) and shallow intrusives. The olivine
composition is nearly always Forsteritic. They are
moved out of the chamber by volatiles and are often
vesicular. There are two forms:
1) Nodules which are cumulates, ie. Bits of
crystals (mush) which collect in the magma
chamber (often associated with plag and
clinopyroxene
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Olivine Paragenesis cont.
2)Mantle - pieces directly derived from mantle
lumps. These also contain Mg-rich
orthopyroxenes and spinel.
Nodules of Opx - Cpx - Ol - Spinel  Mantle
Nodule of Plag - Ol - Cpx  Cumulates
(v) Fayalite Olivines (unusual) are found in silicic
rocks when Na>K ie Na (H2O) rich rocks.
(vi) Large olivine rich ultramafic bodies. These are
regionally metamorphosed (may be) mantle which
show signs of high stress, shearing and
serpentinization. These rocks are thought to have been
brought to the surface from depth.
(vii) Forsterite in metamorphic impure limestones
2CaMg(CO3)2 + SiO2  Mg2SiO4 + 2CaCO3 +2CO2