Serpentinite is a rock composed of one or more serpentine minerals. Minerals in this group are formed by serpentinization, a hydration and metamorphic transformation of ultramafic rock from the Earth's mantle. The alteration is particularly important at the sea floor at lithospheric plate boundaries. It is the state rock of California. Serpentinization is a low-temperature metamorphic process involving heat and water in which low-silica mafic and ultramafic rocks are oxidized and hydrolyzed with water into serpentinite. Peridotite, including dunite, at and near the seafloor and in mountain belts is converted to serpentine, brucite, magnetite, and other minerals. In the process large amounts of water are absorbed into the rock increasing the volume and destroying the structure. The density changes from 3.3 to 2.7 grams per cubic centimeter with a concurrent volume increase of about 40%. The reaction is exothermic and large amounts of heat energy are produced in the process. Rock temperatures can be raised by about 260 degrees C, providing an energy source for formation of non-volcanic hydrothermal vents. Magnetite-forming chemical reactions produce hydrogen gas. Sulfates and carbonates are reduced and form methane and hydrogen sulfide. The hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide provide energy sources for deep sea chemotroph microorganisms.
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
"Verde Antique"
Windsor County
VERMONT
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
San Bernardino County
CALIFORNIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
San Bernardino County
CALIFORNIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Lancaster County
PENNSYLVANIA
Photographed by Cheryl J. Moss, Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers, NY
[Core]
West Street and W. 19th Street
Manhattan
NEW YORK
Photographed by Cheryl J. Moss, Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers, NY
[Core]
West Street and W. 19th Street
Manhattan
NEW YORK
Photographed by Cheryl J. Moss, Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers, NY
West Street and W. 19th Street
Manhattan
NEW YORK
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
CALIFORNIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Rhoscolyn
Anglesey
WALES
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Slickensided
Rhoscolyn
Anglesey
WALES
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
OREGON
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Brinton's Quarry
West Chester
PENNSYLVANIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Unpolished Cut Slab]
Lizard Point
Cornwall
UNITED KINGDOM
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Magnesite Vein with Chromite and Magnetite in Serpentinite]
Wiry Magnesite Mine
Wiry
Gogołów-Jordanów Massif
Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
POLAND
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Magnesite Vein with Chromite and Magnetite in Serpentinite]
Wiry Magnesite Mine
Wiry
Gogołów-Jordanów Massif
Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
POLAND
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Magnesite Vein with Chromite and Magnetite in Serpentinite]
Wiry Magnesite Mine
Wiry
Gogołów-Jordanów Massif
Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
POLAND
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Magnesite Vein with Chromite and Magnetite in Serpentinite]
Wiry Magnesite Mine
Wiry
Gogołów-Jordanów Massif
Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
POLAND
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Magnesite Vein with Chromite and Magnetite in Serpentinite]
Wiry Magnesite Mine
Wiry
Gogołów-Jordanów Massif
Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
POLAND
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Panoche
San Benito County
CALIFORNIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Panoche
San Benito County
CALIFORNIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Panoche
San Benito County
CALIFORNIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[With Chromite]
Nicholas Avenue and Richmond Terrace
Staten Island
Richmond County
NEW YORK
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Serpentinized Peridotite]
Sierra Azul Block
Coast Range Ophiolite
Watsonville
Santa Cruz County
CALIFORNIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Verde Antique
[Sheared Serpentinite with Chromite and Talc and Minor Limonite]
Louise Chromite Belt
Troup County
GEORGIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Verde Antique
[Sheared Serpentinite with Chromite and Talc and Minor Limonite]
Louise Chromite Belt
Troup County
GEORGIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Verde Antique
[Sheared Serpentinite with Chromite and Talc and Minor Limonite]
Louise Chromite Belt
Troup County
GEORGIA
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Massive Lizardite
Waziristan-Khost Ophiolite Belt
Gerdap Deposit
Emplacement: Early Carboniferous
Obduction: Late Cretaceous
Kama District
Nangarhar Province
AFGHANISTAN
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Massive Lizardite
Waziristan-Khost Ophiolite Belt
Gerdap Deposit
Emplacement: Early Carboniferous
Obduction: Late Cretaceous
Kama District
Nangarhar Province
AFGHANISTAN
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Massive Lizardite
Waziristan-Khost Ophiolite Belt
Gerdap Deposit
Emplacement: Early Carboniferous
Obduction: Late Cretaceous
Kama District
Nangarhar Province
AFGHANISTAN
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Massive Lizardite
Waziristan-Khost Ophiolite Belt
Gerdap Deposit
Emplacement: Early Carboniferous
Obduction: Late Cretaceous
Kama District
Nangarhar Province
AFGHANISTAN
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Massive Lizardite
Waziristan-Khost Ophiolite Belt
Gerdap Deposit
Emplacement: Early Carboniferous
Obduction: Late Cretaceous
Kama District
Nangarhar Province
AFGHANISTAN
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Cleaved and Slickensided
Lake Valhalla
Morris County
NEW JERSEY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Cleaved and Slickensided
Lake Valhalla
Morris County
NEW JERSEY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Cleaved and Slickensided
Lake Valhalla
Morris County
NEW JERSEY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
Cleaved and Slickensided
Lake Valhalla
Morris County
NEW JERSEY
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[With Hydromagnesite]
Spring Street
Staten Island
Richmond County
NEW YORK
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Serpentinized Harzburgite with Chromite and Relict Olivine]
I-287
Rye Brook
Westchester County
NEW YORK
Photographed by Michael P. Klimetz
[Serpentinized Harzburgite with Chromite and Relict Olivine]
