The discovery of spinel peridotite in Baikouquan area, Karamay, Xinjiang

The ophiolitic mélange extensively developed in Karamay area consists of ultramafic lenses (mainly peridotite, pyroxenite), pillow-lava basalts and siliceous rocks. The peridotite in Baijiantan area consists of olivine, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene and spinel, which are generally fresh. Previous studies suggested a fast uplifting more than 50km without partial melting. This paper reports for the first time the discovery of mantle rocks in Baikouquan area, 35km away from Baijiantan. Pyroxene in Baikouquan peridotite has been widely altered, but olivine and spinel remain relatively fresh. The mantle rock in Baikouquan has the same mineral assemblage as the mantle rocks in Baijiantan area.