At Odivelas (Beja, Portugal), massive accumulations of coarse-grained magnetic oxides occur within the lower group of a layered, synorogenic Variscan gabbroic sequence. These oxide bodies, irregular in shape, at approximately right angles to the regional layering and of considerable size (up to an estimated 50 t each), are mainly composed of vanadium-bearing titanian maghemite, as large equant grains forming a polygonal texture, poikilitic ilmenite and accessory amounts of maghemite. No Fe 2+ was detected by Mössbauer spectroscopy in either maghemite and titanian maghemite. Strongly weathered samples show hematite