Abstract
Belgium and the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg show surprising geological diversity over
their small combined area of 33,114 km2. Almost all types of sedimentary rocks crop out
and are generally preserved along well-described and easily accessible sections or in
quarries. Several sections are known worldwide and are visited for stratigraphic or
sedimentological purposes. Magmatic rocks are not abundant and metamorphic rocks are
restricted to slates. The stratigraphic scale ranges from the Cambrian to the Quaternary,
which translates to a half billion years of Earth history. This chapter provides a
comprehensive overview of the different stratigraphic units, starting from the oldest and
ending with the youngest. Modern stratigraphic schemes highlight formations’ geometries
and interrelations. Some of the most remarkable units are further detailed. The two orogenic
phases that shaped the Lower Paleozoic inliers and the Devonian-Carboniferous faulted and
folded belt, i.e. the Caledonian and Variscan orogeny, are also addressed.
their small combined area of 33,114 km2. Almost all types of sedimentary rocks crop out
and are generally preserved along well-described and easily accessible sections or in
quarries. Several sections are known worldwide and are visited for stratigraphic or
sedimentological purposes. Magmatic rocks are not abundant and metamorphic rocks are
restricted to slates. The stratigraphic scale ranges from the Cambrian to the Quaternary,
which translates to a half billion years of Earth history. This chapter provides a
comprehensive overview of the different stratigraphic units, starting from the oldest and
ending with the youngest. Modern stratigraphic schemes highlight formations’ geometries
and interrelations. Some of the most remarkable units are further detailed. The two orogenic
phases that shaped the Lower Paleozoic inliers and the Devonian-Carboniferous faulted and
folded belt, i.e. the Caledonian and Variscan orogeny, are also addressed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Landscapes and Landforms of Belgium and Luxembourg |
| Editors | Alain Demoulin |
| Publisher | Springer_Verlag |
| Chapter | 2 |
| Pages | 269-280 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9783319582399 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Publication series
| Name | World Geomorphological Landscapes |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Springer |
| ISSN (Electronic) | 2213-2104 |
