Paleomagnetic analysis of the Løkken Ophiolite sequence, central Norway

The Scandinavian Caledonides are comprised of numerous allochthonous ophiolites, including the Løkken Ophiolite sequence near Trondheim, which were thrust onto mainland Norway in the Early Ordovician. The source of this ophiolite sequence is debated, there are two contrasting models that place its formation at opposing ends of the ancient Iapetus Ocean separating Laurentia and Baltica. I use paleomagnetism to determine the apparent polar wander path of these rocks, presenting new data to aid the paleogeographic reconstruction. This study presents new paleomagnetic data of 49 specimens from the Løkken Ophiolite sequence. After demagnetization, a virtual geomagnetic pole is determined of latitude -18° and longitude 51° (E). This is a significant deviation from the geomagnetic pole position of Baltica at the same time. From further analysis, the inclination of the Løkken Ophiolite sequence is found be ± 4°, implying its close proximity to the equator at the time of formation. All evidence points to the formation of the Løkken Ophiolite sequence on the Laurentian margin ~487 mya