Lithostratigraphy and provenance of the Early-Pleistocene deposits in the southern Netherlands and northern Belgium

Abstract

An almost complete Early-Pleistocene sequence of the Tegelen and Kedichem Formation has been studied in the southern Netherlands and northern Belgium. Former Dutch and Belgian lithostratigraphic units are correlated and a new, more detailed lithostratigraphic framework is proposed. The provenance of the sediments was established by heavy mineral and gravel analysis. Rhine, Meuse and rivers from the Scheldt basin contributed their sediments to the southern North Sea basin during different stages of the Early-Pleistocene. The major importance of the rivers from the Scheldt basin in the upbuilding of the sedimentary sequence is emphasized.