Ophiolites

Abstract

The large variety of ophiolites is issued from most types of ocean spreading centers. Ophiolites are scattered onto continents, either on their passive margins or implied into collision belts. The latter are generally more deformed and the former less and more suited to study the processes that lead to the oceanic accretion. Because ophiolites display deep sections into lithosphere, they complement marine data mainly obtained from the seafloor. When implied into mountain belts, they are keys to reconstitute regional paleogeography.