The talc, soapstone, and asbestos deposits of Massachusetts

Newton Earl Chute

doi:10.3133/ofr6939

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The talc, soapstone, and asbestos deposits of Massachusetts

Newton Earl Chute

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Abstract

Several talc and soapstone deposits were worked in Massachusetts from about 1810 to 1922. Most of these deposits are in the Chester Amphibolite, or in serpentine lenses in or adjacent to the amphibolite along a belt that extends north-south across the State from Rowe to West Granville; it appears to be a continuation of the Vermont talc belt. The only deposits outside of this belt that have been worked are a talc and soapstone deposit in the north-west corner of Hinsdale and soapstone deposits on the east side of Soapstone Hill in the western part of Petersham. Very little asbestos has been produced in Massachusetts. A small amount of anthophyllite asbestos was obtained from the deposit in Hinsdale, and from a deposit in southwestern Pelham. The talc and soapstone deposits of Massachusetts were formed from serpentine and possibly from amphibolite, schist, and dolomitic limestone. Those fromed from serpentine are mainly at the ends of the serpentine bodies, and those that appear to have been formed from amphibolite or schist are on the faults and folds.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 42.061° to 42.746° latitude; -73.174° to -72.186° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Newton Earl Chute. 1969. The talc, soapstone, and asbestos deposits of Massachusetts. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr6939

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