| Summary: | X-ray micro–Computed Tomography (μCT) is a technique that has been applied to several geological samples including meteorites, igneous and metamorphic rocks, ore/drill cores, sediments organic or inorganic and fossils. Representative lithotypes from a complete ophiolitic sequence, have not been extensively examined, although there are a few cases reported concerning specific lithological types such as chromitites or serpentinized and carbonitized ultramafics. Aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of X–ray micro–Computed Tomography technique upon relatively unaltered ophiolitic rocks and to provide suggestive methodologies coupled with other state-of-the- art techniques to be implemented for optimum characterization of ophiolitic rocks to assist in resolving specific geological or related geoengineering queries where ophiolites are involved. The results and methodologies presented provide an innovative approach: i) to distinguish amongst principal rock forming minerals, ii) to precise identify and quantify their textural features in a three-dimensional perspective, and iii) to detect deformation patterns related to post-magmatic metamorphic processes.
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