KARAKTERISTIK BATUAN ASAL (BEDROCK) PEMBENTUKAN NIKEL LATERIT PADA DAERAH X DAN SEKITARNYA KABUPATEN MOROWALI UTARA SULAWESI TENGAH

Abstract
 Administratively, the research area is included in North Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi Province, Java which 49 S zone with UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinates 9152800 – 400800 - 406800 mE an of ​​± 54 km2 (9 km x 6 km). ). One factors that influence formation laterite nickel deposits source rock. The purpose this to focus on characteristics original rock, namely ultramafic rock based intensity serpentinization, its constituent minerals, and relation laterization potential X surroundings, Sulawesi. method used literature study, field activities (surface mapping), data processing (laboratory analysis studio analysis), report generation. Based megascopic data, consists three units, alluvial peridotite units limestone units. petrographic analysis, 10 samples were dominated by dunite followed serpentinized dunite, harzburgite, lerzolite, wehrlite, serpentinite. main mineral compositions are olivine, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, group serpentine (antigorite, lizardite talc). Laterite distribution rocky laterite, prospect being eastern part study area. serpentinization zones level minerals found western hills very low-medium while low-high serpentinization. 
 Key words : Origin Rock, Laterite, Morowali, Petrography, Serpentinization