The origin of the podiform chromite deposits.

The deposits exhibit cumulate texture and occur in the highly-depleted pyrolite of ophiolites. They are very different in origin from their host rock and so are not residues after partial melting. Evidence shows that the podiform chromite deposits were formed by in-situ deposition of the upper mantle Cr-rich melt. Light silicate melt with a possible basaltic composition ascended to form cumulate sequences of ophiolites, whereas denser and heavier Cr-rich ore magma was either crystallised in situ or intruded into the heavily depleted pyrolite and then solidfied to form podiform chromite deposits.
The deposits exhibit cumulate texture and occur in the highly-depleted pyrolite of ophiolites. They are very different in origin from their host rock and so are not residues after partial melting. Evidence shows that the podiform chromite deposits were formed by in-situ deposition of the upper mantle Cr-rich melt. Light silicate melt with a possible basaltic composition ascended to form cumulate sequences of ophiolites, whereas denser and heavier Cr-rich ore magma was either crystallised in situ or intruded into the heavily depleted pyrolite and then solidfied to form podiform chromite deposits.