PALEOMAGNETISM OF THE LATE PRECAMBRIAN VADSO AND BARENTS SEA GROUPS, VARANGER PENINSULA, NORWAY

A palaeomagnetic study has been made on Neoproterozoic rocks from the Varanger Peninsula, northernmost Norway. Several of the formations stu died contain a stable magnetization of diagenetic origin. Two main gro ups of directions were obtained; one (A) with a steep southeasterly po sitive direction, the other (B) with a shallow northern direction. The Group A direction is not in accordance with the stratigraphic age of the rocks and the Fennoscandian apparent polar wander path; hence it m ay reflect a remagnetization. The Group B direction yields a Late Riph ean-Early Vendian palaeopole at 24 degrees N, 207 degrees E (d(p)=5 de grees, d(m)=11 degrees, N=11) in good agreement with data from contemp orary rocks of the Kola Peninsula. The Varanger Peninsula is transecte d by the Trollfjord-Komagelv Fault which divides the peninsula into th e allochthonous Parents Sea Region and the autochthonous Varangerfjord Region. Previous palaeomagnetic studies have suggested that the Baren ts Sea Region has moved 500 to 1000 km to its present position. This s tudy indicates that the movement has been less than 250 km which is in better agreement with geological information.