Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) revealed some of the microcrystalline ultrastructure exhibited by a piece of raw chrysotile, or white asbestos, which had been excavated from the Lowell Asbestos Mine on Belvidere Mountain, Vermont. Note the elongated crystalline structure, and how the fibrils are arranged in both bundles, and as singular serpentine units. Though chrysotile asbestos is the predominant commercial form of asbestos, asbestos is the name given to a group of six different fibrous minerals including chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, and the fibrous varieties of tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite, with all occurring naturally in the environment. Note that the fibers are configured in both lamellated and teased patterns, which illustrates the long, flexible nature of this mineral's fibers. Magnification @ 5000x.