Esøya

Coordinates: UTM 33W 0375776 7284867, 65°39'41.8''N 12°17'53.0''E

Primary interests: Science, tourism

The island of Esøya displays, like Skei at Leka, contact relations between ophiolitic rocks and metamorphic sedimentary rocks deposited on top of the eroded ophiolite in Early Ordovician times. Unlike Leka, the contact on Esøya is strongly disturbed by folding and thrusting, and on the southern part of the Island one may walk across two thrust faults.

The ophiolitic rocks are predominantly gabbro, and on the northern part of the island they have been altered to soapstone. The soapstone deposits have been quarried in the medieval period, both for ashlar blocks for building medieval churches in the region, and for cooking pots and other utensils, such as fishing weights. Remains from the ancient quarrying are partly well preserved and spectacular, and one may even see how the land has rizen almost one meter after the quarrying ended. A 12th century runic inscription, probably made by one of the quarrymen, are found on the rock face. The site also contains a deposit of emerald green actinolite.

The metamorphic sedimentary rocks consist of flattened conglomerate and schist, in which perfect, large crystals of staurolite and garnet may be seen, a particularly good site for viewing metamorphic mineral growth.

This site is only reachable by boat, and is today mainly in use as recreation area for local people during the summer. Temporary harbour facilities are installed in the spring and removed before the winter season. The site has good potential for organized boat tours.