Comments on: Standing up for serpentinite

By: D P Mishra

D P Mishra — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 08:24:45 +0000

I am a geologist,came in Oman from India in the month of Oct,2010 in search for chromite for a local company.Searching chromite I found your site about Serpentinte and that is required.In california what is happening,they just blamming our beautiful,deepseated serpentine.They should make advertise for tourism that this rock is scarcely available in earth crust and simultaneously continental drift story to be tell to the visitor,and that could be done by a good geologist only,and in that way geo-tourism can be start.Actually Geo tourism is required.But there should be good orater.When people are taking interest in history,paleontology, which is marketed through tourism,why not geologyi.e Geomorphology of the area,paleoclimate,continental drift,sedimentary sequence,etc.
Thanks,
D P Mishra

By: Passerby

Passerby — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:55:55 +0000

Submitted to urban dictionary website:

Serpentine Logic.
To twist science facts presented to politicians for ulterior motives related to manipulating public support for large class-action lawsuits. The enactment of legislation with the intent of changing the state rock (mineral) designation to pander to a group of wealthy personal injury lawyers that have deliberately misled state congressmen on the geological relationship of serpentine to asbestos. Asbestoid materials may be derived from serpentine, but not all shiny blue and green serpentine is chrysotile (asbestoid form only).

California was the first, in 1965, to designate a State Rock. States in the USA that have significant mineral deposits often create a state mineral, rock, stone or gemstone to promote interest in their natural resources. For instance, in 2009, West Virginia named bituminous coal as their state rock. Geologists have rallied to oppose the bill, arguing that there is no way to be harmed from casual exposure to natural serpentine rock.

Example: Geologists throughout the US have scorned the proposed change of the state rock designation, pointing to the legal lobby petitioners Serpentine logic in blaming the mineral as the cause of mesothelioma in order to sway personal injury court judgments to their favor.

tags: rock-headed, dumb as a rock, asbestoid, suspect intentions, state rock

By: Gaythia

Gaythia — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:22:00 +0000

I think that the note above about the legal ramifications of the bill possibly blocking development are very interesting.

Serpentine is being studied as a CO2 sequestering agent. See for example: http://www.physorg.com/news1041.html

I’m wondering if someone had this inserted as a means of blocking mining or in-situ efforts, by making actions that stir up dust very difficult.

By: Nishanta Rajakaruna

Nishanta Rajakaruna — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:08:52 +0000

Chris – thanks for this very informative piece. Appreciate your comments!

By: Silver Fox

Silver Fox — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:19:00 +0000

Excellent post, Chris!

By: Garry Hayes

Garry Hayes — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:12:08 +0000

What he said! This is a great post on serpentinite. Thanks!

By: Chris Rowan

Chris Rowan — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:05:23 +0000

It looks like there is a Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=132118583490156

By: Erika Amir

Erika Amir — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:20:50 +0000

I have been following this with much interest and horror. Is there a facebook group for this yet? If not, I will start one, and then perhaps activity can be concentrated there?