How does serpentinite get to the Earth’s surface?
Scientists do not fully understand how serpentinite makes its way from deep in the Earth, where it often forms, to the surface of the Earth. In the process of formation, serpentinite rock actually becomes less dense (more buoyant) as water is added. Thus it essentially floats upwards, buoyed up by the denser rock around it. Serpentinite is also a very plastic and greasy rock that can be easily squeezed into and even lubricate the many faults at plate boundaries. It then may get dragged or “squirted” to the surface along the faults.
