Gentbrugge Formation

The Gentbrugge Formation (Dutch: Formatie van Gentbrugge, abbreviation: Ge; named after the town of Gentbrugge in East Flanders) is a geologic formation in the west of Belgium. The formation crops out in East- and West-Flanders and also occurs in the subsurface of the province of Antwerpen. It consists of marine clay, silt and sand, deposited in the shallow sea that covered northern Belgium during the Ypresian age (around 50 million years ago, part of the early Eocene).[1][2]

Gentbrugge Formation
Stratigraphic range: Ypresian
~50 Ma
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofIeper Group
Sub-unitsEgemkapel & Kortemark Members
UnderliesAalter & Brussel Formations
OverliesMons-en-Pévèle Formation
Thicknessup to 50 m (160 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySandstone, siltstone
OtherClaystone
Location
RegionWest-, East Flanders, & Antwerpen
Country Belgium
ExtentCampine Basin
Type section
Named forGentbrugge
RegionEast Flanders

Description

The Gentbrugge Formation reaches its greatest thickness in the north of Belgium, where it can be maximally 50 metres (160 ft) thick. It is subdivided into three members. The base of the formation is formed by silty clay and clayey silt (Merelbeke Member). On top of this are laminae of silt (Pittem Member) and beds of very fine sand, disturbed by bioturbation (Vlierzele Member). The sands can have horizontal bedding as well as cross bedding, and are often lithified into sandstone.[2]

Stratigraphy

The Gentbrugge Formation is part of the Ieper Group and is stratigraphically on top of the older Mons-en-Pévèle Formation (micaceous sandstone), another formation of the same group. On top of the Gentbrugge Formation are deposits of the Lutetian Zenne Group. In the north of Belgium this is often the Aalter Formation (marine clays and sands). In the south the Aalter Formation often lacks and the younger Brussel Formation (marine sand and marl) and Lede Formation (marine calcareous sand) can be found directly on top of the Gentbrugge Formation.[1][2]

See also

References

  1. Steurbaut, 2006, p.76
  2. Gentbrugge Formation

Bibliography

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