The development of the Zechstein in the Netherlands

Abstract

The Zechstein Group can be divided into four, locally five, evaporitic cycles. The margin of the Zechstein basin passes through the southern Netherlands and adjacent offshore area. It is characterized by fringing carbonates and clastics. In the southern offshore area a strong influx of sand is evident. The Zechstein is absent by erosion on the Late Kimmerian Texel-IJsselmeer High. A few indications suggest that part of this High was a positive area during Zechstein times. The first evaporitic cycle forms an E-W trending anhydrite platform in the central Netherlands and offshore continuation with a thickness of over 250 m. Halite is locally developed in this platform region. The major basinal halite sequences of the second and third cycle tie north of the platform. The carbonate members of these cycles have their main development along the basinward edge of the first cycle anhydrite platform. The fourth and fifth cycles are of modest dimensions and contain no carbonates.