The quarternary geology of the Dutch part of the North Sea, north of the Frisian Isles

Abstract

A geological map of the Dutch part of the North Sea, north of 53°20' lat. is presented. Fluvioglacial clays of the Elsterian glaciation are presumed to underlie the younger deposits. During the Saalian glaciation the clay was partly eroded by glaciers, which led to the formation of the central deep southeast of the Dogger Bank, the bank itself being an erosion rest. At the same time boulder clay of Scandinavian origin was deposited. Deposits of the Holsteinian and Eemian interglacials have not been found. Owing to the rapid rise of the sea level supply and sedimentation could not keep up with it. During the Early- and Late-Weichselian fluvial clays were deposited, while coversands were laid down during Weichselian Pleniglacial times. The surface of the fluvioglacial clay in the central deep remained uncovered owing to strong winds. The Holocene sequence starts with a basal peat bed, on top of which fresh-water clay settled. The transgreding sea led to the formation first of brackish to marine clayey, later of sandy deposits. (Elbow deposits). During the Atlantic and Subboreal no sediments were deposited. In the present Subatlantic a reworking and deposition of the material present led to the formation of the young seasand bed.