The Pliocene–Pleistocene transition in the subsurface of the Dutch-Belgian border region: insights from borehole Huijbergen
article
Cross-border correlations of the Pliocene–Pleistocene successions in the southern
Netherlands and northernmost Belgium are problematic, because biostratigraphic markers
are often lacking. Correlation is further hampered by the poor age constraints of the Belgian
Merksplas Formation. To address these issues, sedimentary, mollusc and dinoflagellate cyst
analyses are combined to characterise the lithostratigraphic units in the Huijbergen borehole
(The Netherlands) and to provide age estimates. Subsequently, the Huijbergen borehole was
correlated with nearby boreholes in Essen and Kalmthout (Belgium). The Piacenzian intervals
of the Dutch Oosterhout Formation can be correlated with the Belgian Lillo Formation, with
the latter’s threefold borehole log signature appearing virtually continuous across the border
between both countries. The Dutch Maassluis and Waalre formations are correlated with the
shell-bearing lower part and the unfossiliferous higher part of the Merksplas Formation
respectively. Although dinocysts are not age-diagnostic for the Maassluis and Waalre
formations in borehole Huijbergen, characteristic interglacial marine shells provide a Gelasian
age assessment for the Maassluis Formation. By correlation, this age estimate can also be
applied to the lower part of the Merksplas Formation, thereby elucidating the Pliocene–
Pleistocene transition near the Dutch-Belgian border
Netherlands and northernmost Belgium are problematic, because biostratigraphic markers
are often lacking. Correlation is further hampered by the poor age constraints of the Belgian
Merksplas Formation. To address these issues, sedimentary, mollusc and dinoflagellate cyst
analyses are combined to characterise the lithostratigraphic units in the Huijbergen borehole
(The Netherlands) and to provide age estimates. Subsequently, the Huijbergen borehole was
correlated with nearby boreholes in Essen and Kalmthout (Belgium). The Piacenzian intervals
of the Dutch Oosterhout Formation can be correlated with the Belgian Lillo Formation, with
the latter’s threefold borehole log signature appearing virtually continuous across the border
between both countries. The Dutch Maassluis and Waalre formations are correlated with the
shell-bearing lower part and the unfossiliferous higher part of the Merksplas Formation
respectively. Although dinocysts are not age-diagnostic for the Maassluis and Waalre
formations in borehole Huijbergen, characteristic interglacial marine shells provide a Gelasian
age assessment for the Maassluis Formation. By correlation, this age estimate can also be
applied to the lower part of the Merksplas Formation, thereby elucidating the Pliocene–
Pleistocene transition near the Dutch-Belgian border
TNO Identifier
986033
Source
Geologica Belgica, 26(1/2), pp. 1-16.
Pages
1-16