Oman Ophiolite-2

STS058-86-11

The exposure of Oman ophiolite south from Buraymi (B) to Muscat (M) is 160 mi (250 km) long. The light-colored rocks are the shallow-water limestones that were buried as the darker ophiolite was driven over them (from right to left). An ophiolite is oceanic crust composed (in descending order) of a thin sequence of deep-water sedimentary rocks, basaltic lava flows, and gabbro (a crystalline rock of the same composition as basalt but one which has cooled at depth within the crust) The next two frames are telephoto views of the central part of the photo above.

STS058-87-17

In this 250-mm telephoto view, the central Oman ophiolite (dark region in the center) lies in a trough of limestone (nearly white) that is at the surface on either side. The beds of limestone on both sides dip toward the center of the trough (a syncline) beneath the ophiolite. Elongate limestone peak at lower left is at upper left in the next frame.

STS058-87-18

This telephoto view (immediately south of the preceding photo) shows the spectacular fractures and canyons carved into the limestone plateau. The high point (H; 9712') is light-colored limestone in a tight anticline (the limestone beds dip away from the center of the fold). On the flanks of the fold the ophiolite is preserved on top of the limestone (bottom of frame).

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