Baltic Shield

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Baltic Shield

Also known as: Fennoscandian Shield, Scandinavian Shield

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June 18, 2026

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The Baltic Shield, also known as the Fennoscandian Shield, is a large, stable area of the Earth's crust composed of ancient crystalline rocks, primarily from the Precambrian era, some dating back 2 to 3 billion years. This shield covers much of Finland and Sweden, along with eastern Norway. It is characterized by low relief, meaning it is generally flat and has been eroded over time.12

Continental shields are considered the foundational nuclei of continents, with younger rock formations often found bordering them. The Baltic Shield is a significant part of Europe's geological history, with its oldest rocks found in the north and progressively younger orogenic belts extending southward. These ancient rocks are a source of valuable minerals, including iron ore, copper, nickel, and tin.123

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Arctic
Geology
The Baltic (or Scandinavian) Shield, centred on Finland, includes all of northern Scandinavia (except the Norwegian coast) and the northwestern corner of Russia. The two other blocks are smaller. The Angaran Shield is exposed between the Khatanga and Lena rivers in north-central Siberia and the Aldan…
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The Baltic (or Scandinavian) Shield, centred on Finland, includes all of northern Scandinavia (except the Norwegian coast) and the northwestern corner of Russia. The two other blocks are smaller. The Angaran Shield is exposed between the Khatanga and Lena rivers in north-central Siberia and the Aldan…
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Baltic Sea
Coastal features
…ancient rock mass of the Baltic Shield outcrop along the northern coasts, partly obscured by glacial drift and marine deposits, they are often fringed by the low, rocky islands known as a skerry guard. These are most numerous in the Saltsjön (Salt Bay) between Stockholm and the open waters of…
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…ancient rock mass of the Baltic Shield outcrop along the northern coasts, partly obscured by glacial drift and marine deposits, they are often fringed by the low, rocky islands known as a skerry guard. These are most numerous in the Saltsjön (Salt Bay) between Stockholm and the open waters of…
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Norway
Land
…occupies part of northern Europe’s Fennoscandian Shield. The extremely hard bedrock, which consists mostly of granite and other heat- and pressure-formed materials, ranges from one to two billion years in age.
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…occupies part of northern Europe’s Fennoscandian Shield. The extremely hard bedrock, which consists mostly of granite and other heat- and pressure-formed materials, ranges from one to two billion years in age.
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Europe
Geologic history
…in the continent is the Baltic Shield, which has been eroded down to a low relief. The youngest rocks occur in the Alpine system, which still survives as high mountains. Between those belts are basins of sedimentary rocks that form rolling hills, as in the Paris Basin and southeastern England,…
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…in the continent is the Baltic Shield, which has been eroded down to a low relief. The youngest rocks occur in the Alpine system, which still survives as high mountains. Between those belts are basins of sedimentary rocks that form rolling hills, as in the Paris Basin and southeastern England,…
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continental shield
The Baltic, or Fennoscandian, Shield occupies most of Finland and Sweden, as well as eastern Norway. It is bordered on the west by the Caledonian Belt of younger, folded rocks. Shield areas are not recognized in central Europe, but farther south nearly one-half of the continent…
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The Baltic, or Fennoscandian, Shield occupies most of Finland and Sweden, as well as eastern Norway. It is bordered on the west by the Caledonian Belt of younger, folded rocks. Shield areas are not recognized in central Europe, but farther south nearly one-half of the continent…
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Precambrian
Occurrence and distribution of Precambrian rocks
… in Siberia in Russia; the Baltic Shield that includes much of Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of far northern Russia; the Superior and Slave provinces in Canada; and the Yilgarn and Pilbara blocks in Western
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… in Siberia in Russia; the Baltic Shield that includes much of Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of far northern Russia; the Superior and Slave provinces in Canada; and the Yilgarn and Pilbara blocks in Western
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