Chilling statistics indicate an ocean-floor spreading origin for the Troodos complex,Cyprus

Different models for the generation of ophiolite complexes lead to differing predictions of the nature, extent and consistency of one way chilling (see text) of dykes in the sheeted unit of such complexes. Measurements of the degree of one way chilling were made on a number of transects of the Diabase (sheeted) unit of the Troodos complex. Statistical analysis of the results strongly favours an ocean-floor spreading model over the other models considered for the generation of the complex, with the spreading axis lying to the west of the complex in its present orientation. In addition, the analysis shows that the stratigraphically central portion of the sheeted unit must be composed entirely of dykes. This method can be used to determine the origin of other ophiolite complexes that have sheeted dyke units.