Variations in serpentine along the hc-vc suture zone of sri lanka : an analogue for studying martian

Introduction: Serpentine, (Fe,Mg)6Si4O10(OH)8 is considered a mineral interface between the solid Earth, the hydrosphere and the biosphere. Its formation is closely associated with hydrothermal alteration of ultramafic minerals that takes place over a wide range of temperatures (400-800°C), but are only slightly dependent on pressure [1]. Environments on Earth known to produce serpentinites are (1) ophiolites, (2) convergent margins, (3) divergent margins, and (4) greenstone belts. Serpentine textures, properties and alterations preserved at the macro and micro scale then correspond to the P-T conditions and the environment of serpentinization. Specific properties of the serpentines (i.e. density, fracture infill) indicate specific formation conditions and environments. Ancient serpentinites from Sri Lanka in general, and their derived soils in particular [2] have been suggested as analogs to Mars [3]. Accordingly, our aims consist of (1) establishing variations in macro textures along the HCVC contact, and (2) mapping the geologic variations of an exposed outcrop. That work serves the overall goal of using Sri Lanka’s serpentine formations to advance the utility of island serpentines as a reference for future Mars analog field work.