Identify the Mineral on the basis of the following characteristics relating to it. I. It is usually a greenish crystal. II. It is often found in basaltic rocks. III. Magnesium, iron and silica are its major elements. Select the answer using the code given below:

CDS 2025 PYQ with Answer — Identify the Mineral on the basis of the following characteristics re…

2025 · Q32

Identify the Mineral on the basis of the following characteristics relating to it.

IIt is usually a greenish crystal.
IIIt is often found in basaltic rocks.
IIIMagnesium, iron and silica are its major elements. Select the answer using the code given below:

General KnowledgeGeography

AAmphibolite
BFeldspar
CPyroxene
DOlivine

Explanation

Olivine (peridot) is a greenish crystalline mineral whose major chemical elements are magnesium, iron and silica ((Mg,Fe)2SiO4), and it occurs commonly in basaltic (mafic) rocks. Feldspar, pyroxene and amphibolite do not satisfy all three characteristics: feldspars are not greenish iron-magnesium silicates, pyroxene is usually dark, and amphibolite is a rock rather than a mineral. It is the dominant mineral of the Earth's upper mantle, where peridotite rock predominates.