The newly discovered early Paleozoic Delenuoer ophiolite, in the western margin of the Central Qilian Shan, is composed of serpentinized peridotite, cumulate gabbro, diabase, massive basalt, and pillow basalt. This study presents geochronological and geochemical data for the cumulate gabbro and basalt. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of zircons from the cumulate gabbro yielded a magmatic crystallization age of 472 ​± ​4 ​Ma. The basalts have normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB) compositions and a narrow range of ε_Nd(t) values (+4.5 to ​+5.3), which indicates they were derived from a depleted mantle source. On the basis of regional geological constraints, it is proposed that the Delenuoer ophiolite is a westward extension of the South Ophiolite Belt (Yushigou–Youhulugou–Donggou–Dongcaohe Ophiolite Belt) in the North Qilian Shan. The Delenuoer ophiolite, along with the Gulangxia–Delenuoer fault, defines the westernmost part of the tectonic boundary between the North and Central Qilian Shan. This ophiolite may have formed during southward subduction of the Qilian Ocean slab during the early Paleozoic.

新发现的早古生代Delenuoer蛇绿岩位于蛇腹山中部西部边缘，由蛇纹岩化橄榄岩，累积辉长岩，辉绿岩，块状玄武岩和枕形玄武岩组成。这项研究提供了累积辉长岩和玄武岩的地质年代和地球化学数据。累积辉长岩中锆石的LA–ICP–MS U–Pb测年产生的岩浆结晶年龄为472±4 Ma。玄武岩具有正常洋中脊玄武岩（N-MORB）的组合物和窄范围的ε_钕（吨）值（+4.5到+5.3），表示它们是从枯竭的地幔源中提取的。根据区域地质条件，提出德勒诺尔蛇绿岩是北祁连山南蛇绿岩带（玉石沟－尤葫芦沟－东沟－东草河蛇绿岩带）的西延。德勒诺尔蛇绿岩与鼓浪峡-德勒诺尔断裂一起，定义了北祁连山与中祁连山之间构造边界的最西端。蛇绿岩可能是在古生代早期祁连洋板块向南俯冲时形成的。