Paleomagnetic research on Icelandic lava flows

Following a short review of the main. efforts in paleomagnetic field work on basement rocks in Iceland since 1950 and a description of their main magnetic characteristics, some examples of paleomagnetic research on these rocks art, described. This research has had two major aims. One has concerned the stratigraphy of the lava pile, where reversals of the remanence polarity arc, useful in correlating between mapped profiles of similar age some kilometers apart. The other aim has been to obtain information on various aspects of the geomagnetic field configuration and its changes through the last 15 M.y. Additionally, knowledge of the magnetic properties of basement rocks is essential in the geological interpretation of magnetic anomalies.