Serpentinites: Essential Roles in Geodynamics, Arc Volcanism, Sustainable Development, and the Origin of Life

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 2013 Serpentinites: Essential Roles in Geodynamics, Arc Volcanism, Sustainable Development, and the Origin of Life Stéphane Guillot; Stéphane Guillot 1CNRS, ISTerre, Université de Grenoble1381 rue de la Piscine, Grenoble cédex 9, FranceE-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Keiko Hattori Keiko Hattori 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa140 Louis-Pasteur, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, CanadaE-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elements (2013) 9 (2): 95–98. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.9.2.95 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Stéphane Guillot, Keiko Hattori; Serpentinites: Essential Roles in Geodynamics, Arc Volcanism, Sustainable Development, and the Origin of Life. Elements 2013;; 9 (2): 95–98. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.9.2.95 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Serpentinites are rocks consisting mostly of the serpentine-group minerals chrysotile, lizardite and antigorite. They are formed by the hydration of olivine-rich ultramafic rocks and they contain up to ~13 wt% H2O. They have long been used by many cultures as building and carving stones. Serp entinites play essential roles in numerous geological settings. They act as a lubricant along plate boundaries during aseismic creep and contribute to the geochemical cycle of subduction zones. In the mantle, they are a reservoir of water and fluid-mobile elements. Serpentinites can produce nickel ore where weathered, and they can sequester CO2 where carbonated. They may have provided an environment for the abiotic generation of amino acids on the early Earth and other planets, potentially leading to the development of life. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.