Rødbergan

Coordinates: UTM 33W 0368098 7247628, 65°19'30.0''N 12°10'3.8''E

Primary interests: Science, tourism

To the west of road Fv17, a lens shaped body of serpentinite is located within mica schist. The body measures 60 times 30 metres, but is clearly visible from distance due to its reddish brown colour (from oxidation of iron in the serpentinite). The serpentinite also stands up from the surrounding mica schist, being harder and more resistant to weathering.

The serpentinite represents a mantle fragment from the ophiolite complexes, and was probably tectonically juxtaposed with the mica schists.

Along the margins of the serpentinite, soft talc schist (soapstone) is formed. Soapstone is an extremely soft but yet durable rock, and has unique heat storing capacities. This has been exploited in ancient times, probably during the Viking Period or slightly later. Soapstone was used for various utensils and cooking pots, and in the small quarry faces around the serpentinite it is possible to see circular depressions in the rock from carving, representing negative imprints from the extraction of cooking vessel roughouts.

The outcrop is well visible from the road, but there is no marked trail today.