1. Sections of oceanic crust and upper mantle rock that have been thrust onto continental margins or into mountain belts during tectonic collision.
Usage: geology; plural form; technical term

Examples

• Geologists study ophiolites to understand the structure of ancient oceanic crust.
• The Troodos ophiolite in Cyprus provides a well-preserved example of oceanic lithosphere.
• Ophiolites are key evidence for plate tectonics and continental drift.
• Mountain ranges often contain ophiolites that were uplifted during tectonic events.
• The Semail ophiolite in Oman is one of the largest and most accessible ophiolite complexes in the world.