New insights into the lithostratigraphy and paleogeography of the Messinian Kasterlee Formation from the analysis of a temporary outcrop

TY - JOUR

T1 - New insights into the lithostratigraphy and paleogeography of the Messinian Kasterlee Formation from the analysis of a temporary outcrop

AU - Verhaegen, Jasper

AU - Frederickx, Lander

AU - Schiltz, Marco

N1 - Score=10

PY - 2020/6

Y1 - 2020/6

N2 - Previous studies have shown that the Kasterlee Formation occurs as far south as the hilltops of Heist-op-den-Berg and Beerzel in the south of the province of Antwerp. In fragmentary outcrops on these hills, a clear threefold subdivision can be recognized. In the current study, a large temporary outcrop on the Heist-op-den-Berg hill was studied, providing a unique view into the small-scale vertical and lateral variations in the Kasterlee Formation. Based on field observations, grain size analyses and mineralogy, the characteristics of the three units could be clearly defined. Cone penetration test logs show that these units can also be traced further north in the basin. As the three units can be easily identified based on the parameters provided in this paper and as they occur over a wide area, it is proposed to introduce them as formal members of the clayey Kasterlee unit. The observations made in this outcrop also allowed to refine the paleogeographic model of the Kasterlee Formation, with deposition of sand-clay alternations in restricted lagoons, separated from the marine environment by a coastal barrier, during an overall regression. Coastal barrier deposits are found in the south and northwest, but in the northeast only deposition in restricted lagoons occurred.

AB - Previous studies have shown that the Kasterlee Formation occurs as far south as the hilltops of Heist-op-den-Berg and Beerzel in the south of the province of Antwerp. In fragmentary outcrops on these hills, a clear threefold subdivision can be recognized. In the current study, a large temporary outcrop on the Heist-op-den-Berg hill was studied, providing a unique view into the small-scale vertical and lateral variations in the Kasterlee Formation. Based on field observations, grain size analyses and mineralogy, the characteristics of the three units could be clearly defined. Cone penetration test logs show that these units can also be traced further north in the basin. As the three units can be easily identified based on the parameters provided in this paper and as they occur over a wide area, it is proposed to introduce them as formal members of the clayey Kasterlee unit. The observations made in this outcrop also allowed to refine the paleogeographic model of the Kasterlee Formation, with deposition of sand-clay alternations in restricted lagoons, separated from the marine environment by a coastal barrier, during an overall regression. Coastal barrier deposits are found in the south and northwest, but in the northeast only deposition in restricted lagoons occurred.

KW - Geology

KW - Stratigraphy

KW - Belgium

KW - Granulometry

KW - Grain size

KW - Mineralogy

KW - CPT logs

KW - Southern North Sea basin

KW - Campine

UR - https://ecm.sckcen.be/OTCS/llisapi.dll/overview/39202726

U2 - 10.20341/gb.2020.015

DO - 10.20341/gb.2020.015

M3 - Article

VL - 23

SP - 1

EP - 11

JO - Geologica Belgica

JF - Geologica Belgica

SN - 1374-8505

IS - 3-4

ER -