Next page Previous page

sericitization

A hydrothermal, deuteric, or metamorphic process involving the
introduction of, alteration to, or replacement by sericitic muscovite.
AGI

series

a. Any number of rocks, minerals, or fossils having characteristics, such
as growth patterns, succession, composition, or occurrence, that make it
possible to arrange them in a natural sequence. AGI
b. A conventional stratigraphic unit that is a division of a system. A
series commonly constitutes a major unit of chronostratigraphic
correlation within a province, between provinces, or between continents.
AGI
c. May be applied to intrusive rocks in the same time-stratigraphic sense.
Formal series names are binomial, usually consisting of a geographic name
(generally but not necessarily with the adjectival ending -an or -ian) and
the word Series, the initial letter of both terms being capitalized.
See also:igneous-rock series
d. An arrangement of electric blasting caps in which the firing current
passes through each of them in a single circuit. Nichols, 1

series circuit firing

A method of connecting together a number of detonators that are to be
fired electrically in one blast. Each detonator is connected to the
adjacent detonator to form a continuous circuit having two free ends that
are then connected to the firing cable. In British coal mines, all rounds
of shots must be connected electrically in series. This results in large
rounds having a high electrical resistance, requiring high voltage at the
exploder that, in turn, increases the chance of misfires due to current
leakage. See also:parallel circuit firing

series firing

The firing of detonators in a round of shots by passing the total supply
current through each of the detonators. CF:parallel firing
BS, 12

series-in-parallel circuit

See:parallel blasting circuit; parallel series circuit.

series parallel firing

The firing of detonators in a round of shots by dividing the total supply
current into branches, each containing a certain number of detonators
wired in series. BS, 12

series shots

A number of loaded holes connected and fired one after the other. In
contradistinction to simultaneous firing, where the charges are connected
electrically, and are all exploded at one time. Stauffer

series ventilation

A system of ventilating a number of faces consecutively by the same air
current. BS, 8

serpentine

a. In petrology, a metamorphic rock serpentinite composed chiefly or
wholly of the mineral serpentine.
b. A group of common rock-forming minerals having the formula (Mg,Fe,Ni)
3 Si2 O5 (OH)4 ; mostly monoclinic, but also
orthorhombic; greasy or silky luster; slightly soapy feel; tough
conchoidal fracture; commonly compact but may be granular or fibrous
(asbestiform); green; invariably secondary, derived by alteration of
magnesium-rich silicate minerals (esp. olivines); in both igneous and
metamorphic rocks; translucent varieties commonly substitute for jade for
ornamental and decorative purposes; fibrous varieties are used for
asbestos.
c. The mineral group antigorite, clinochrysotile, orthochrysotile, and
lizardite.
d. In former usage, serpentine and antigorite were mineral species and
chrysotile was a variety. See also:kaolinite-serpentine

serpentine asbestos

See:chrysotile

serpentine cat's-eye

See:satelite

serpentine jade

A variety of the mineral serpentine, resembling bowenite, occurring in
China; used as an ornamental stone. CMD

serpentine marble

See:verde antique

serpentine rock

See:serpentinite

serpentinite

A rock consisting almost wholly of serpentine-group minerals, e.g.,
antigorite and chrysotile or lizardite, derived from the alteration of
ferromagnesian silicate minerals, such as olivine and pyroxene. Accessory
chlorite, talc, and magnetite may be present. Syn:serpentine rock
AGI

serpentinization

The process of hydrothermal alteration by which magnesium-rich silicate
minerals (e.g., olivine, pyroxenes, and/or amphiboles in dunites,
peridotites, and/or other ultrabasic rocks) are converted into or replaced
by serpentine minerals. AGI

serpierite

A monoclinic mineral, Ca(Cu,Zn)4 (SO4 )2 (OH)6
.3H2 O ; dimorphous with orthoserpierite; sky-blue.

serra

See:sierra

serrate

a. Said of topographic features that are notched or toothed, or have a
saw-edged profile; e.g., a serrate divide. Syn:saw-toothed
b. Said of saw-toothed contacts between minerals, usually resulting from
replacement; e.g., the serrate texture of megacrysts in contact with
plagioclase in igneous rocks. AGI

serumite

A bonding clay for foundry sands. Osborne

service factor

A factor by which the specified horsepower is multiplied to compensate for
drive conditions. Jackson, 1