Marine Geological Advice

Pleistocene Glaciation in The Netherlands 

Pleistocene Glaciation in The Netherlands

The Netherlands is part of the southern North Sea basin and as such has seen more or less continuous sedimentation since the Tertiary. However, ‘cold’ marine and fluvial sediments  related to Early Pleistocene glaciations are only present at a few locations in boreholes in the Dutch sector of the North Sea or on the Dutch mainland. In the Dutch sector of the North Sea, the oldest indications of glacial influence probably date from the Tiglian C4c cold Stage. Stiff marine clays recorded in a borehole are thought to date from this early glaciation. Indications of sediments deposited during the Menapian Stage in a prodelta and delta-front environment are present in a deep borehole and are referred to the Aurora and Outer Silver Pit Formations. Fluvial sediments deposited by the rivers Elbe and Weser during the Menapian Stage are present in only two boreholes. The oldest glacigenic sediments recorded have been found in a borehole near the Dogger Bank and were probably deposited during the Cromerian Glacial A or B (Laban, 1995). ‘Cold’ marine sediments of Cromerian age are known to be present in a borehole farther east. Correlation of the ‘cold’ sediments between boreholes is not possible because of the great distance between localities and also the fact that in most boreholes, sediments of only one cold stage are recorded.