Reconstructing Quaternary Rhine–Meuse dynamics in the southern North Sea: architecture, seismo‐lithofacies associations and malacological biozonation

Abstract

Mapping the Middle to Upper Pleistocene Rhine–Meuse sequence in the southern North Sea based on new core and seismic data has allowed a detailed palaeoenvironmental re‐assessment. An integrated seismo‐lithostratigraphic and malacological biostratigraphic framework is correlated with the optically stimulated luminescence‐dated Rhine–Meuse sequence onshore. The data point to a dynamic interplay of fluvial and marine systems in the southern part of the North Sea driven by longer‐term (>100 ka) tectonic and epeirogenic processes and shorter‐term (<10 ka) climatic processes. The final permanent breaching of the Cretaceous chalk at the Strait of Dover during the Saalian (Marine Isotope Stage 6, MIS 6) ice age led to the formation of the ‘Eurogeul’ belt, a gravelly sand belt that represents the largest concentration of gravelly fluvial sediments in the southern North Sea. The formation and preservation of the Rhine–Meuse sequence is related to long‐term (>100 ka) uplift of the Wealden–Artois synclinorium and compaction‐driven subsidence of Tertiary shales within the Voorne Trough. The dominant erosive sedimentary signatures within the Rhine–Meuse sequence resulted through shorter‐term (<10 ka) interplay of Pleistocene transgressions, glaciations and the permanent breaching of the Cretaceous chalk at the Strait of Dover by the Palaeo‐Channel river during the Saalian (MIS 6).

A high-resolution DEM for the Top-Palaeogene surface of the Belgian Continental Shelf

“…Based on studies from the southern North Sea it can be concluded that both scarps are believed to be remnants of ancient river terraces of the Rhine and Meuse rivers (Bridgland & D'Olier, 1995;Busschers et al, 2005Busschers et al, , 2007Busschers et al, , 2008Gibbard, 1995;Hijma et al, 2012;Peeters, Busschers, & Stouthamer, 2015;Rijsdijk et al, 2013). This conclusion is similar to what Mathys (2009) suggested about the Offshore Platform being the valley floor of an incised river valley.…”

“…This has import implications for future palaeogeographical reconstructions of the area (e.g. Busschers et al, 2005Busschers et al, , 2007Busschers et al, , 2008Hijma et al, 2012;Peeters et al, 2015;Rijsdijk et al, 2013). Farther north the Thornton Valley connects to the Northern Valley (see Main map).…”

Radiocarbon and mammoth bones: What's in a date

“…According to Hijma et al (2012), that would mean that these fossils must have been transported. A study by Rijsdijk et al (2013) also considers 14 C dates anomalously young, based on marine taxa dates obtained by racemization.…”

North Sea palaeogeographical reconstructions for the last 1 Ma

“…Mollusc assemblages of the Holocene, Eemian and older interglacial North Seas differ in composition, aiding their stratigraphical distinction (e.g. Meijer & Preece, 1995; Rijsdijk et al, 2013). For archaeology, it is mostly the degree to which marine ravinement eroded terrestrial palaeosurfaces that matters.…”