Lizardite

Lizardite was named by Eric James William Whittaker and Jack Zussman in 1955 after the place it was first reported, the Lizard Peninsula, (from the ) in southern Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. (The Lizard complex includes many serpentine rocks as part of an exposed ophiolite.) Scyelite is a synonym of lizardite. == Characteristics ==

Chemistry Antigorite and lizardite commonly coexist metastably; lizardite may also be able to turn into antigorite at over 350 degrees. Lizardite contains H2O in excess of the nominal formula, as does chrysotile. It has a high amount of Fe2O3 and a low amount of FeO. One study found that lizardite has a high amount of SiO2 and a low amount of Al2O3. Formation Lizardite is commonly a result from the hydrothermal metamorphism or retrograde metamorphism of mafic minerals such as olivine, pyroxene or amphibole, in ultrabasic rocks. ==Occurrence==

Geological occurrence Lizardite is commonly found in ophiolite and is often intergrown with brucite. Locations found Canada As of 1989, only a single specimen of lizardite had been found in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec where it may occur in altered pegmatites. United States Lizardite can be found in the United States. In Pennsylvania It was discovered in the 1960s. With it being the most abundant mineral in Nottingham County Park. In Minnesota it can be found on the north shore of Lake Superior. Lizardite has been reported in Wales. At Holy Island, Anglesey lizardite has been found to be associated with antigorite. South Africa In the Frank Smith mine located in South Africa, lizardite was the dominant serpentine mineral. Other It can also be found in Japan, Italy, and Australia. ==References==