Summary
A preliminary palaeomagnetic study has been carried out in Vesterålen, Senja and Kvaløya (Troms) in order to furnish temporal constraints on near offshore fault-activity in the Lofoten area. At Senja, two phases of faulting and brecciation have been identified. A young phase, attendant of the formation of fault-gouges, is Rcent/Tertiary in origin, whereas an older phase has a Permian age. A Permian age (c. 260-270 Ma) is also indicated from heamatite cemented fault-breccias from Kvaløya, and the Permian fault-activity probably witnesses an early rift-phase on the continental margin. Permian fault-rocks (c. 260-270 Ma) are also widespread within the Møre-Trøndelag Fault Zone (Central Norway) and Western Norway.
