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The paleic surface or palaeic surface (Norwegian: paleisk overflate, from Ancient Greek palaios, meaning 'old') is an erosion surface of gentle slopes that exist in South Norway. Parts of it are considered a continuation of the Sub-Cambrian peneplain found further east. The peneplain surfaces of the paleic surface are apparently disrupted by vertical displacement along faults, following an NNE-SSW orientation. In south-western Norway the Paleic surface is strongly dissected by valleys and fjords.
The lower levels the Paleic surface are thought to have been formed by the following key processes: etching, stripping and pediplanation. The climate under which these processes occurred was likely warm relative to the present. To the north the lower levels of the Paleic surface are considered to be equivalent to the Muddus plains in northern Sweden, meaningthat topography is likely to have developed at the same time and level, and by the same processes.
The paleic surface in southern Norway has reached its elevated position in a process related to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean that begun 140 millions years ago.
In northern Norway a paleic surface extends in Varanger Peninsula. In the peninsula the paleic surface is made up of an undulating plateau between the altitudes of 200 and 600 m.a.s.l.. The higher parts of the undulating plateau are made up by erosion-resistant rocks like quartzite. The lower parts are made up by weak rocks like shale and mudstone. At intermediate levels sandstone is common. Some parts of the paleic surface in Varanger Peninsula are a re-exposed unconformity that underlie sedimentary rock of Vendian (Late Neoproterozoic) age. The paleic surface might have been uplifted as much as 200-250 meters since middle Pliocene times.
The concept of a paleic surface was first introduced by Hans Reusch in 1901.