Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-p9bg8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T09:12:19.918Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Revised Upper Cenozoic stratigraphy of the Dutch sector of the North Sea Basin: towards an integrated lithostratigraphic, seismostratigraphic and allostratigraphic approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2016

K.F. Rijsdijk*
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Applied Geoscience TNO - National Geological Survey , Princetonlaan 6, P.O. Box 80015, 3508 TA Utrecht, the Netherlands
S. Passchier
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Applied Geoscience TNO - National Geological Survey , Princetonlaan 6, P.O. Box 80015, 3508 TA Utrecht, the Netherlands
H.J.T. Weerts
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Applied Geoscience TNO - National Geological Survey , Princetonlaan 6, P.O. Box 80015, 3508 TA Utrecht, the Netherlands
C. Laban
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Applied Geoscience TNO - National Geological Survey , Princetonlaan 6, P.O. Box 80015, 3508 TA Utrecht, the Netherlands
R.J.W. van Leeuwen
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Applied Geoscience TNO - National Geological Survey , Princetonlaan 6, P.O. Box 80015, 3508 TA Utrecht, the Netherlands
J.H.J. Ebbing
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Applied Geoscience TNO - National Geological Survey , Princetonlaan 6, P.O. Box 80015, 3508 TA Utrecht, the Netherlands
*
* Corresponding author. Email: kenneth.rijsdijk@tno.nl

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

A revised Upper Cenozoic stratigraphic framework of the Dutch sector of the North Sea Basin is presented whereby offshore stratigraphic units are integrated or correlated with onshore units. The framework is based on an integrated stratigraphic approach that combines elements of lithostratigraphy, seismostratigraphy and allostratigraphy. Offshore formations are redefined in terms of seismofacies and lithofacies associations, and are differentiated on the basis of common genesis and stratigraphic position. These facies associations represent five major depositional environments, which occur in repetitive successions in the subsurface of the Netherlands: Marine, Coastal, Glacial, Fluvial, and Local Terrestrial. Five conceptual basin-wide bounding discontinuities are identified in the North Sea-Basin that span land and sea. They are represented by both seismostratigraphic and lithostratigraphic unconformities and interpreted as surfaces that formed as a result of North Sea Basin-wide changes in depositional systems. Their formation relates to sea level rise, continental-scale glaciations, and tectonic processes. The bounding discontinuities separate informal allostratigraphic groups of formations that have a grossly uniform geologic setting in common. While the allostratigraphic principles provide a view on the stratigraphy on the largest spatial and temporal scale, the genetic concept facilitates mapping on a local scale.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Stichting Netherlands Journal of Geosciences 2005

References

Web publications of stratotype descriptions

http://dinoloket.nitg.tno.nl/ Google Scholar
Bakker, M.A.J., Den Otter, C., & Weerts, H.J.T., 2003. Stratotype beschrijving van de Drente Formatie. Nomenclator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar
Bosch, J.H.A., 2003. Stratotype beschrijving van de Appelscha Formatie Nomenclator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar
Bosch, J.H.A., Busschers, F.S. & Weerts, H.J.T., 2003. Stratotype beschrijving van de Eem Formatie. Nomenclator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar
Bosch, J.H.A., Weerts, H.J.T. & Busschers, F.S., 2003. Stratotype beschrijving van de Urk Formatie. Nomenclator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar
Busschers, F.S. & Weerts, H.T.J., 2003. Stratotype beschrijving van de Kreftenheye Formatie. Nomenclator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar
Ebbing, J.H.J., 2002. Stratotype beschrijving van de Peelo Formatie. Nomenclator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar
Schokker, J., De Lang, F.D., Weerts, H.J.T. & Den Otter, C., 2003. Stratotype beschrijving van de Boxtel Formatie. Nomenciator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar
Weerts, H.J.T., 2003. Stratotype beschrijving van de Naaldwijk Formatie. Nomenciator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar
Weerts, H.J.T. & Busschers, F.S., 2003 Stratotype beschrijving van de Nieuwkoop Formatie. Nomenciator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar
Weerts, H.J.T., Bosch, J.H.A. & Busschers, F.S., 2003. Stratotype beschrijving van de Woudenberg Formatie. Nomenciator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar
Westerhoff, W.E., 2003. Stratotype beschrijving van de Sterksel Formatie. Nomenciator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar
Westerhoff, W.E. & Weerts, H.J.T., 2003. Stratotype beschrijving van de Waalre Formatie. Nomenciator Shallow Subsurface, Version 1.Google Scholar

References

Bosch, J.H.A., 2000. Standaard Boor Beschrijvingsmethode, Versie 5.1. Internal report NITG 00–141-A, TNO-NITG: 112 pp.Google Scholar
Cameron, T.D.J., Laban, C. & Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., 1984a. Flemish Bight: Sheet 52°N/02°E. Sea bed sediments and Holocene geology, 1:250000 Series, British Geological Survey and Geological Survey of the Netherlands.Google Scholar
Cameron, T.D.J., Laban, C. & Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., 1984b. Flemish Bight: sheet 52°N/02°E. Quaternary Geology, 1 : 250 000 series British Geological Survey and Geological Survey of the Netherlands.Google Scholar
Cameron, T.D.J., Grimshaw, S., Hall, D., Laban, C., Mesdag, C.S., Parker, N. & Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., 1984c. Flemish Bight: sheet 52°N/02°E. Solid Geology, 1 : 250 000 series British Geological Survey and Geological Survey of the Netherlands.Google Scholar
Cameron, T.D.J., Laban, C. & Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., 1989a. Upper Pliocene and Lower Pleistocene stratigraphy in the Southern Bight of the North Sea. In: Henriet, J.P. & De Moor, G. (eds): The Quaternary and Tertiary Geology of the Southern Bight, North Sea. University of Ghent: 97109.Google Scholar
Cameron, T.D.J., Schüttenhelm, R.T.E. & Laban, C., 1989b. Middle and Upper Pleistocene and Holocene stratigraphy in the Southern North Sea between 52° and 54°N, 2° to 4°E. In: Henriet, J.P. & De Moor, G. (eds): The Quaternary and Tertiary Geology of the Southern Bight, North Sea, University of Ghent: 119135.Google Scholar
Cameron, T.D.J., Laban, C., Mesdag, C.M. & Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., 1986. Indefatigable, Sheet 53°N/02°E. Quaternary Geology, 1 : 250 000 Series, British Geological Survey and Geological Survey of the Netherlands.Google Scholar
Cameron, T.D.J., Laban, C. & Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., 1987. Indefatigable, Sheet 53°N/02°E. Sea Bed Sediments and Holocene, 1 : 250 000 Series, British Geological Survey and Geological Survey of the Netherlands.Google Scholar
Cameron, T.D.J., Bulat, J. & Mesdag, C.S., 1993. High resolution seismic profile through a Late Cenozoic delta complex in the southern North Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology 10: 591599.Google Scholar
Collinson, J.D., 1996. Alluvial Sediments. In: Reading, H.G. (ed.): Sedimentary environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. 3rd edition, Blackwell Science (Oxford): 3782.Google Scholar
De Mulder, E.F.J. & Ritsema, I., 2003. Duurzaam gebruik en beheer van de ondergrond. In: De Mulder, F.J., Geluk, M.C., Ritsema, I., Westerhoff, W.E. & Wong, Th.E. (eds): De ondergrond van Nederland. Netherlands Institute of Applied Geoscience TNO - National Geological Survey. Peeters, (Herent): 1164.Google Scholar
Doppert, J.W.Ch., Ruegg, G.H.J., Van Staalduinen, C.J., Zagwijn, W.H. & Zandstra, J.G., 1975. Formaties van het Kwartair and Boven Tertiair in Nederland. In: Zagwijn, W.H. & Van Staalduinen, C.J. (eds): Toelichting bij geologische overzichtskaarten van Nederland. Rijks Geologische Dienst (Haarlem): 1156.Google Scholar
Ebbing, J.H.J., Weerts, H.J.T., Cleveringa, P., De Lang, F.D. & Westerhoff, W.E., 1997. Startnotitie Werkgroep Lithostratigrafie. Internal Report NITG 97–220-B, TNO-NITG: 11 pp.Google Scholar
Ebbing, J.H.J., Weerts, H.J.T., Westerhoff, W.E., Cleveringa, P. & De Lang, F.D., 1999. De lithostratigrafische indeling van Nederland. Formaties uit het Tertiair en Kwartair. Internal Report NITG 990–141-B, TNO-NITG (Utrecht): 38 pp.Google Scholar
Ebbing, J.H.J., Laban, C., Frantsen, P.]. & Nederlof, H.P., 1992. Rabsbank Sheet, Dutch licence blocks for oil and gas S7, S8, S10 and Sil (51°20’N -3°00’E). Geological Survey of the Netherlands.Google Scholar
Ebbing, J.H.J., Weerts, H.J.T. & Westerhoff, W.E., 2003. Towards an integrated land-sea stratigraphy of the Netherlands. Quaternary Science Reviews 22: 15791587.Google Scholar
Emmery, D. & Meyers, K. (eds), 1998. Sequence stratigraphy. Blackwell Science (Oxford): 297 pp.Google Scholar
Folk, R.L., 1954. The distinction between grain size and mineralogical composition in sedimentary rock nomenclature. The Journal of Geology 62: 344359.Google Scholar
Gibbard, P.L., 1988. The history of the great northwest European rivers during the past three million years. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B. 318: 559602.Google Scholar
Harrison, D.J., Laban, C. & Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., 1987. Indefatigable, Sheet 53°N/02°E. Sea bed sediments and Holocene, 1 : 250 000 Series, British Geological Survey and Geological Survey of the Netherlands.Google Scholar
Hedberg, H.D. (ed.), 1976. International Stratigraphical Guide: A guide to stratigraphical classification, terminology and procedure. International subcommission on stratigraphic classification. John Wiley and Sons (New York): 200 pp.Google Scholar
Jeffery, D.H., Frantsen, P., Laban, C. & Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., 1989. Silver Well: sheet 54°N/02°E. Quaternary Geology, 1:250000 series British Geological Survey, Geological Survey of the Netherlands.Google Scholar
Jeffery, D.H., Laban, C., Mesdag, C.S. & Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., 1991. Dogger: sheet 55°N/02°E. Quaternary Geology, 1 : 250 000 series British Geological Survey and Geological Survey of the Netherlands.Google Scholar
Jelgersma, S., 1961. Holocene sea level changes in the Netherlands. Mededelingen Geologische Stichting, serie C-VI-nr. 7: 1100.Google Scholar
Jelgersma, S., 1979. Sea level changes in the North Sea Basin. In: Oele, E. (ed.): The Quaternary history of the North Sea. Symposia Universitatis Upsaliensis annum quingentesimum celebrantis 2. Almsquist och Wiksell (Stockholm): 233248.Google Scholar
Johnson, H.D. & Baldwin, C.T., 1996. Shallow clastic seas Chapter 7. In: Reading, H.G. (ed.): Sedimentary environments: processes, facies and stratigraphy. 3rd edition Blackwell Science (Oxford): 232280.Google Scholar
Laban, C., 1995. The Pleistocene glaciations in the Dutch sector of the North Sea. A synthesis of sedimentary and seismic data. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Amsterdam: 194 pp.Google Scholar
Laban, C. & Mesdag, C.S., 1996. Geological Map Sheet Oyster Grounds. Quaternary Geology. Sheet 54°N - 04°E., 1: 250 000, Rijks Geologische Dienst.Google Scholar
Laban, C., Cameron, T.D.J. & Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., 1984. Geologie van het Kwartair in de zuidelijke bocht van de Noordzee. Mededelingen Werkgroep Tertiaire en Kwartaire Geologie 21: 139154.Google Scholar
Laban, C., Schüttenhelm, R.T.E., Balsón, P.S., Baeteman, C. & Paepe, R., 1992. Ostend, Sheet 51°N/02°E. Quaternary Geology, 1:250000 Series, British Geological Survey and Geological Survey of the Netherlands.Google Scholar
McMillan, A.A., 2002. Onshore Quaternary geological surveys in the 21st century - a perspective from the British Geological Survey. Quaternary Science Reviews 21: 889899.Google Scholar
McMillan, A.A. & Hambin, R.J.O., 2000. A mapping-related lithostratigraphical framework for the Quaternary of the UK. Quaternary Newsletter. Quaternary Research Association 92: 2134.Google Scholar
Miall, A.D., 1985., Architectural elements analysis: a new method of facies analysis applied to fluvial deposits. Earth Science Reviews 22: 261308.Google Scholar
Miller, J.M.G., 1996. Glacial sediments. In: Reading, H.G. (ed.): Sedimentary environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. 3rd edition Blackwell Science (Oxford): 688 pp.Google Scholar
Mitchum, R.M. Jr., Vail, P.R. & Thompson, S., 1977. Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level. In: Payton, C.E. (ed.), Part 2: The depositional sequence as a basic unit for stratigraphical analysis. In: Seismic stratigraphy - applications to hydrocarbon exploration. Memoir of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (Tulsa) 26: 5362.Google Scholar
NACSN (North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature) 1983, North American stratigraphic code. North American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin 67: 841875.Google Scholar
NNI (Nederlands Normalisatie Instituut), , 1991. NEN 5104, Classificatie van onverharde grondmonsters (Delft): 9 pp.Google Scholar
Oele, E., 1969. The Quaternary geology of the Dutch part of the North Sea, North of the Frisian Isles. Geologie en Mijnbouw 48: 467480.Google Scholar
Oele, E., 1971. The Quaternary of the southern area of the Dutch part of the North Sea. Geologie en Mijnbouw 50: 461474.Google Scholar
Overeem, I., 2002. Process-response simulation of fluvio-deltaic stratigraphy. PhD Thesis. Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Delft University of Technology: 167 pp.Google Scholar
Oyama, M. & Takehara, H., 1967. Revised reference soil colour charts. Research council for agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and forestry (Tokyo).Google Scholar
Powers, M.C., 1953. A new roundness scale for sedimentary particles. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 23: 117119.Google Scholar
Reading, H.G. & Leveli, B.K., 1996. Controls on the sedimentary record. In: Reading, H.G. (ed.): Sedimentary environments: processes, facies and stratigraphy 3rd edition Blackwell Science (Oxford): 536.Google Scholar
Reading, H.G. (ed.), 1996. Sedimentary environments: processes, facies and stratigraphy 3rd edition Blackwell Science (Oxford): 688 pp.Google Scholar
Rose, J., 2002, Editorial. Quaternary Science Reviews 21: 871.Google Scholar
Salvador, A. (ed.), 1994, International stratigraphic guide: a guide to strati-graphic classification, terminology and procedure. International subcommission on stratigraphic classification of IUGS international commission on stratigraphy. Geological Society of America (Boulder): 214 pp.Google Scholar
Schokker, J., 2003. Pattern and processes in a Pleistocene fluvio-aeolian environment: Roer valley graben, south-eastern Netherlands. PhD Thesis, Faculteit Ruimtelijke Wetenschappen Utrecht. Nederlandse Geografische Studies 314, Koninklijk Nederlands Aardrijkskundig Genootschap: 142 pp.Google Scholar
Van Adrichem Boogaert, H.A. & Kouwe, W.F.P. (eds), 1993, Stratigraphical nomenclature of the Netherlands, revision and update by RGD and NOGEPA. Mededelingen Rijks Geologische Dienst: 50.Google Scholar
Van Leeuwen, R.J.W., Rijsdijk, K.F., Weerts, H.J.T., Ebbing, J.H.J. & Laban, C., 2004. Naar een geïntegreerde stratigrafie van het Kwartair. Internal Report NITG 02–044-A, TN0-NITG (Utrecht): 78 pp.Google Scholar
Vail, P.R., 1987. Seismic interpretation using sequence stratigraphy, Part 1: seismic stratigraphy interpretation procedure. In: Bally, A.W. (ed.): Atlas of seismic stratigraphy. Association American Petroleum Geologists Studies in Geology 27: 110.Google Scholar
Van Wagoner, J.C., Posamentier, H.W., Mitchum, R.M., Vail, P.R., Sarg, J.F., Louitt, T.S. & Hardenbol, J., 1988. An overview of the fundamentals of sequence stratigraphy and key definitions. In: Wilgus, C.K., Hastings, C.A., Kendall, C.G.St.C., Posamentier, H.W., Ross, C.A. & Van Wagoner, J.C. (Eds): Sea level changes: an integrated approach. Society of economic paleontologists and mineralogists special publication 42: 3945.Google Scholar
Van Wagoner, J.C., Nummedal, D., Jones, C.R., Taylor, D.R., Jennette, D.C. & Riley, G.W., 1991. Seismic stratigraphy interpretation using sequence stratigraphy, part 2: key definitions of sequence stratigraphy. In: Bally, A.W. (ed.): Atlas of seismic stratigraphy. Association American Petroleum Geologists, Studies in Geology 27: 1114.Google Scholar
Weerts, H.J.T., Cleveringa, P., Ebbing, J.H.J., De Lang, F.D. & Westerhoff, W.E., 2000. De lithostratigrafische indeling van Nederland - Formaties uit het Tertiair en Kwartair. TN0-NITG (Utrecht): 38 pp.Google Scholar
Weerts, H.J.T., Westerhoff, W.E., Cleveringa, P., Bierkens, M.F.P., Veldkamp, J.G. & Rijsdijk, K.F., in press. Quaternary geological mapping of the lowlands of the Netherlands, a 21st century perspective. Quaternary International.Google Scholar
Westerhoff, W.E., De Mulder, E.F.J. & De Gans, W., 1987. Alkmaar West (19W) en Alkmaar Oost (190). Toelichtingen bij de geologische kaart van Nederland 1:50.000. Rijks Geologische Dienst (Haarlem): 227 pp.Google Scholar
Westerhoff, W.E., Geluk, M.C. & De Mulder, E.F.J., 2003a. Geschiedenis van de ondergrond. Deel 2. In: De Mulder, E.F.J., Geluk, M.C., Ritsema, I., Westerhoff, W.E. & Wong, Th.E. (eds): De ondergrond van Nederland. Netherlands Institute of Applied Geoscience TNO - National Geological Survey. Peeters (Herent): 119246.Google Scholar
Westerhoff, W.E., Wong, Th.E. & De Mulder, E.F.J., 2003b. Opbouw van de ondergrond. Deel 3. In: De Mulder, E.F.J., Geluk, M.C., Ritsema, L., Westerhoff, W.E. & Wong, Th.E. (eds): De ondergrond van Nederland. Netherlands Institute of Applied Geoscience TN0 - National Geological Survey. Peeters (Herent): 249352.Google Scholar
Whittaker, A., 1998. Principles of seismic stratigraphy. In: Doyle, P. & Bennett, M.R. (eds): Unlocking the stratigraphical record: advances in modern stratigraphy. John Wiley and Sons (Chichester): 275298.Google Scholar
Zagwijn, W.H. & Doppert, J.W.C., 1978. Upper Cenozic of the southern North Sea Basin: palaeoclimatic and palaeogeographic evolution. Geologie en Mijnbouw 57: 577588.Google Scholar
Zagwijn, W.H. & Van Staalduinen, C.J. (eds), 1975. Toelichting bij geologische overzichtskaarten van Nederland. Rijksgeologische Dienst (Haarlem): 134 pp.Google Scholar
Zagwijn, W.H., 1994. Reconstruction of climatic change during the Holocene in western and central Europe based on pollen records of indicator species. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 3: 6588.Google Scholar
Zonneveld, J.I.S., 1958. Lithostratigrafische eenheden in het Nederlandse Pleistoceen. Mededelingen van de Nederlandse Geologische Stichting 12: 3164.Google Scholar