This paper reports preliminary results of palaeomagnetic data obtained from the lowerTriassic (Schtian) and mid-Triassic (Anisian) rocks in the western Pontides, NW Turkey. The Triassic rocks have been studied by applying thermal and/or alternating-field demagnetization. The characteristic magnetization has a 50" mean inclination derived from 41 samples taken from three separate sites. Although the inclination values for the three sites are similar, the corresponding declination angles indicate that the GumuSdere site, which lies to the north of Istanbul city, has undergone 68" anticlockwise rotation; while the TavSancil and Denizlikoy sites, which are to the southeast of Istanbul, have rotated 40" clockwise on average. The mean inclination (SO0) places the western Pontides at the southern margin of Laurasia during lowerand mid-Triassic time.