Stratigraphical consequences of the discovery of Silurian fossils on Magerøy, the island of North Cape.

Abstract

Crionid stems were discovered east of Norvågen (east of Honningsvåg) on Magerøy in 1939. In 1960 an additional find of fossils proved a Silurian age for the limestone and conglomerate beds there. Two years later the athor found crionid stems in similar rocks at Sardnes (west of Honningsvåg). In this paper the author elucidates the present state of the age problem as regards the sedimentation of (later metamorphosed) rocks in the central area of Magerøy, especially the tillite-like conglomerate at Duksfjord. A Silurian age for this rock is, with the present state of knowledge, a more reasonable one than then Eocambrian which was formerly presumed. The alteration of the view of the age implies that the glacial origin is now to be controverted. The existence of the fossils proves that the intrusions of gabbro on Magerøy are not older than Silurian age. An unpublished report with a map prepared by Mr. J.J.C. Geul in 1958, has been the basis for the planning of the exursions and a guide in the field.