Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Cenozoic Lower Rhine Basin – rifting, sedimentation, and cyclic stratigraphy

  • Original paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the Cenozoic, the Lower Rhine Basin formed as a rift at the southeastern terminus of the Dutch German Central Graben, while the Rhenish Massif was uplifted. The study focusses on the marginal marine and fluvial fill of the Lower Rhine Basin. A basin model is developed. Support for this study was given by extensive industry outcrop and well data, by new stratigraphical and sedimentological observations. The ingression and subsequent regression of the Cenozoic North Sea is analysed using the concept of base level cyclicity. As the geohistory of the basin was complex, a subsidence curve is constructed. Furthermore, an attempt is made to trace the simultaneous uplift of the Rhenish Massif.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abraham M (1994) Untersuchungen zur sedimentologischen Entwicklung der fluviatilen Deckschichten (Miozän Pliozän) der Rheinischen Braunkohle. Bonner Geowiss Schr 15, pp 227

  • Ahorner L (1992) Das Erdbeben bei Roermond am 13. April 1992 und die daraus zu ziehenden Lehren für das Erdbebengefährdungspotential im Rheinland. Mitt Deutsch Geophys Ges 1992:51–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahorner L (1997) Niederrheinische Bucht. Das Erdbeben von Roermond am 13. April 1992. Erdbeben in Deutschland

  • Aigner Th, Hornung J, Junghans WD, Poeppelreiter M (1999) Baselevel cycles in the Triassic of the South-German Basin: a short progress report. In: Bachmann GH, Lerche J (eds) Epicontinental Triassic 1. Zbl Geol Paläont I 1998: 537–544

  • Ashraf AR, Mosbrugger V (1995) Palynologie und Palynostratigraphie in der Niederrheinischen Bucht Teil 1 Sporen. Palaeontographica B 235:61–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashraf AR, Mosbrugger V (1996) Palynologie und Palynostratigraphie in der Niederrheinischen Bucht. Teil 2 Pollen. Palaeontographica B 241:1–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashraf AR, Mosbrugger V, Utescher T (1997 a) Palynological studies in the Neogene of the open pit mines Inden and Bergheim. Lower Rhine Embayment (Germany). Courier Forsch Inst Senckenberg 201:29–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashraf AR, Utescher T, Mosbrugger V (1997 b) Tertiary palynostratigraphy – how reproducible are the results? Meded Nederl Inst Toeg Geowetensch TNO 58:163–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Benda L (ed) (1989) Forschungsbohrung Wursterheide. Geol Jb A111:1–542

    Google Scholar 

  • Berggren WA, Kent DV, Swisher CC, Aubry MP (1995) A revised Cenozoic geochronology and chronostratigraphy. SEPM Spec Publ 54:129–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertling M, Hermanns K, von der Hocht F (1995) Sedimentologie und Palaeontologie autochthoner Muschel-Bohrungen in Kohleflözen (Neogen der Niederrheinischen Bucht). N Jb Geol Paläont Mh 12:711–736

    Google Scholar 

  • Boenigk W (1981) Die Gliederung der tertiären Braunkohlendeckschichten in der Ville (Niederrheinische Bucht). Fortschr Geol Rheinld u Westf 29:193–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Boenigk W (1990) Die pleistozänen Rheinterrassen und deren Bedeutung für die Gliederung des Eiszeitalters in Mitteleuropa. In: Liedtke H (ed) Eiszeitforschung. Darmstadt, pp 130–140

  • Boenigk W (1995) Terrassenstratigraphie des Mittelpleistozän am Niederrhein und Mittelrhein. Meded Rijks Geol Dienst 52:71–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Boenigk W (2002) The Pleistocene Drainage Pattern in the Lower Rhine Basin. In: Schäfer A, Siehl A (eds) Rift tectonics and syngenetic sedimentation – the Cenozoic Lower Rhine Graben and related structures. Netherlands J Geosci, Geologie en Mijnbouw 81:201–209

  • Boersma JR (1991) A large flood-tidal delta and its successive spill-over apron. Detailed proximal-distal facies relationships. Miocene Lignite Suite Lower Rhine Embayment (Germany). In: Smith GD, Reinson GE, Zaitlin BA, Rahmani RA (eds) Clastic tidal sedimentology. Can Soc Petrol Geol Memoir 16:227–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Boersma JR, Gelder AV, Groot TD, Puigdefabregas C (1981) Formen fluviatiler Sedimentation in neogenen und jüngeren Ablagerungen im Braunkohlentagebau Frechen (Niederrheinische Bucht). Fortschr Geol Rheinld u Westf 29:275–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Brelie G von der (1968) Zur mikrofloristischen Schichtengliederung im rheinischen Braunkohlenrevier. Fortschr Geol Rheinld u Westf 16:85–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Brelie G von der (1981) Neue Gesichtspunkte zur pollenstratigraphischen Gliederung des Pliozäns in der Niederrheinischen Bucht. Fortschr Geol Rheinld u Westf 29:265–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Brelie G von der (1988) The Lower Rhine Embayment. In: Vinken R (ed) The Northwest European Tertiary Basin. Geol Jb A 100:316–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Brelie G von der, Hager H, Weiler H (1981) Pollenflora und Phytoplankton in den Kölner Schichten sowie deren Lithostratigraphie im Siegburger Graben. Fortschr Geol Rheinld u Westf 29:21–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Brunnacker K (1978) Der Niederrhein im Holozän. Fortschr Geol Rheinld u Westf 28:399–440

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell J, Kümpel HJ, Fabian M, Fischer D, Görres B, Keysers ChJ, Lehmann K (2002) Recent movement pattern of the Lower Rhine Embayment from tilt gravity and GPS data. In: Schäfer A, Siehl A (eds) Rift tectonics and syngenetic sedimentation – the Cenozoic Lower Rhine Graben and related structures. Netherlands J Geosci, Geologie en Mijnbouw 81:93–199

    Google Scholar 

  • Clausen OR, Gregersen U, Michelsen O, Soerensen JC (1999) Factors controlling the Cenozoic sequence development in the eastern parts of the North Sea. J Geol Soc London 156:808–816

    Google Scholar 

  • Clemmensen LB (1976) Eolian sandy lignite and associated sediments from the Miocene of the Lower Rhine Basin, Western Germany. Geologie en Mijnbow 55:73–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Cross TA, Lessenger MA (1997) Correlation strategies for clastic wedges. In: Coulson EB, Osmond JC, Williams FT (eds) Innovative applications of petroleum technology in the Rocky Mountain area. Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, 183–203

  • Cross TA, Lessenger MA (1998) Sediment volume partitioning rationale for stratigraphic model evaluation and high.resolution stratigraphic correlation. In: Gradstein FM, Sandvik KO, Milton NJ (eds) Sequence stratigraphy – concepts and applications. Norwegian Petroleum Society (NPF), Spec Publ 8:171–195

  • Cross TA, Baker MR, Chapin MA, Clark MS, Gardner MH, Hanson MS, Lessenger MA, Little LD, McDonough KJ, Sonnenfeld MD, Valasek DW, Williams MR, Witter DN (1993) Application of high-resolution sequence stratigraphy to reservoir analysis. In: Eschad R, Doligez B (eds) Subsurface reservoir characterisation from outcrop observations. Proceedings of the 7th Exploration and Production Research Conference Technip. Paris, 11–33

  • Derer ChE (2003) Tectono-sedimentary evolution of the northern Upper Rhine Graben (Germany), with special regard to the early syn-rift stage. pp 100, (electronically published) Dissertation, University of Bonn

  • Derer ChE, Kosinowski M, Luterbacher H, Schäfer A, Süss MP (2003) Sedimentary response to tectonics in extensional basins: the Pechelbronn Formation (late Eocene to early Oligocene) in the northern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany. In: McCann T, Saintot, A (eds) Tracing tectonic deformation using the sedimentary record. Geol Soc London Spec Publ 208: 55–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Felix-Hennigsen P (1990) Die mesozoisch-tertiäre Verwitterungsdecke (MTV) im Rheinischen Schiefergebirge – Aufbau, Genese und quartäre Überprägung. Relief, Boden, Paläoklima 6, pp 192

  • Fuchs K, von Gehlen K, Mälzer H, Murawski H, Semmel A (eds) (1983) Plateau Uplift. The Rhenish Shield – a case history. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York Tokyo, 1–411

    Google Scholar 

  • Galloway WE (1989 a) Genetic stratigraphic sequences in basin analysis – I. Architecture and genesis of flooding-surface bounded depositional units. AAPG Bull 73:125–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Galloway WE (1989b) Genetic stratigraphic sequences in basin analysis – II. Application to Northwest Gulf of Mexico Cenozoic Basin. AAPG Bull 73:143–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Castellanos D, Cloetingh SAPL, Van Balen RT (2000) Modeling the Pleistocene uplift in the Ardennes-Rhenish Massif: thermo-mechanical weakening under the Eifel? Global Planet Change 27:39–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hager H (1986) Peat accumulation and syngenetic clastic sedimentation in the Tertiary of the Lower Rhine Basin, F.R. Germany. Mém Soc Géol France NS 149:51–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Hager H (1993) The origin of the Tertiary lignite deposits in the Lower Rhine region, Germany. Int J Coal Geol 23:251–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Hager H, Prüfert J (1988) Tertiär. In: Hilden HD (ed) Geologie am Niederrhein. GLA NRW: 32–40, Krefeld

    Google Scholar 

  • Hager H, Vandenberghe N, Van Den Bosch M, Abraham M, von der Hocht F, Rescher K, Laga P, Nickel E, Verstraelen A, Leroi S, Van Leeuwen RJW (1998) The geometry of the Rupelian and Chattian depositional bodies in the Lower Rhine district and its border area implications for Oligocene lithostratigraphy. Bull Geol Soc Denmark 45:53–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq BU, Hardenbol J, Vail PR (1987) Chronology of fluctuating sea levels since the Triassic. Science 235:1156–1166

    Google Scholar 

  • Haq BU, Hardenbol J, Vail PR (1988) Mesozoic und Cenozoic chronostratigraphy and cycles of sea-level change. In: Wilgus CK, Hastings BS, Kendall CGStC, Posamentier HW, Ross CA, van Wagoner JC (eds) Sea-level changes, an integrated approach. SEPM Spec Publ 42:71–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardenbol J, De Graciansky C, Jacquin T, Vail PR (eds) (1998) Mesozoic and cenozoic sequence stratigraphy of European basins. SEPM Spec Publ 60:1–485

    Google Scholar 

  • Hermanns K (1992) Untersuchungen in neogenen Tonschichten des Rheinischen Braunkohlenreviers südliche Niederrheinische Bucht. Bonner Geowiss Schriften 2, pp 203

  • Heumann G (2001) Stratigraphie und Paläoökologie des Jungpliozän und Altpleistozän im Tagebau Hambach (Niederrheinische Bucht). unpublished Dissertation, University Bonn, pp 109

  • Heumann G, Litt T (2002) Stratigraphy and palaeoecology of the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene in the open-cast mine Hambach (Lower Rhine Basin). In: Schäfer A, Siehl A (eds) Rift tectonics and syngenetic sedimentation – the Cenozoic Lower Rhine Graben and related structures. Netherlands J Geosci, Geologie en Mijnbouw 81:193–199

  • Hilden HD (ed) (1988) Geologie am Niederrhein. 4 ed. GLA NRW, Krefeld, p 142

  • Hilger D (1991) Zur Sedimentologie der Liegendschichten im Tagebau Fortuna. unpublished Diploma thesis, University of Bonn, pp 87

  • Hinzen KG (2003) Stress field in the Northern Rhine area, Central Europe, from earthquake fault plane solutions. Tectonophysics 377:325–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hornung J, Aigner T (2002 a) Reservoir architecture in a terminal alluvial plain: An outcrop analogue study (Upper Triassic, Southern Germany). Part I: Sedimentology and petrophysics. J Petroleum Geol 25:3–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Hornung J, Aigner T (2002b) Reservoir architecture in a terminal alluvial plain: An outcrop analogue study (Upper Triassic, Southern Germany). Part II: Cyclicity, controls and models. J Petroleum Geol 25:151–178

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huggenberger P, Aigner Th (1999) Introduction to the special issue on aquifer-sedimentology: problems, perspectives, and modern approaches. Sediment Geol 129:179–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huhn B, Utescher T, Ashraf AR, Mosbrugger V (1997) The peat-forming vegetation in the Middle Miocene Lower Rhine Embayment, an analysis based on palynological data. Mededelingen Nederlands Instituut voor Toegepaste Geowetenschappen TNO 58:211–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Jentzsch T, Siehl A (2002) Kinematic subsidence modelling of the Lower Rhine Basin. In: Schäfer A, Siehl A (eds) Rift tectonics and syngenetic sedimentation – the Cenozoic Lower Rhine Graben and Related Structures. Netherlands J Geosci, Geologie en Mijnbouw 81: 231–239

    Google Scholar 

  • John CM, Karner DG, Mutti M (2004) Delta 18O and Marion Plateau backstripping: Combining two approaches to constrain late middle Miocene eustatic amplitude. Geology 32:829–832

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klett M (2000) Sedimentologie des Tertiärs der Niederrheinischen Bucht – Interpretation anhand von Bohrungen und Bohrlochmessungen. Bonner Geowiss Schriften 28, pp 133

  • Klett M, Schäfer A (1997) Das Tertiär der Niederrheinischen Bucht. Interpretation der Sedimentfazies anhand von Bohrungen und Bohrlochmessungen. Zbl Geol Paläont Teil I 1996:443–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Klett M, Eichhorst F, Schäfer A (2002) Facies interpretation from well-logs applied to the Tertiary Lower Rhine Basin fill. In: Schäfer A, Siehl A (eds) Rift Tectonics and Syngenetic Sedimentation – the Cenozoic Lower Rhine Graben and Related Structures. Netherlands J Geosci, Geologie en Mijnbouw 81:167–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Klingbeil R, Kleineidam S, Asprion U, Aigner Th, Teutsch G (1999) Relating lithofacies to hydrofacies: outcrop-based hydrogeological characterisation of Quaternary gravel deposits. Sediment Geol 129:299–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klostermann J (1983) Die Geologie der Venloer Scholle (Niederrhein). Geol Jb A 66:3–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Klostermann J (1995) Das Quartär Deutschlands. IV. Nordrhein-Westfalen. In: Benda L (ed) Das Quartär Deutschlands. Borntraeger, Berlin Stuttgart, 59–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Knufinke HU, Kothen H (1997) Die Tektonik der Niederrheinischen Bucht vor, während und nach der Hauptflözbildung. Braunkohle, Surface Mining 49:473–479

    Google Scholar 

  • Kooi H, Hettema M, Cloetingh S (1991) Lithospheric dynamics and the rapid Pliocene-Quaternary subsidence phase in the southern North Sea Basin. Tectonophysics 192:245–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leeder MR, Gawthorpe RL (1987) Sedimentary models for extensional tilt-block/half-graben basins. In: Coward MP, Dewey JF, Hancock PL: Continental Extensional Tectonics. Geol Soc Spec Publ 28:139–152

    Google Scholar 

  • McCabe PJ, Shanley KW (1992) Organic control on shoreface stacking patterns. Bogged down in the mire. Geology 20:741–744

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer W (1994) Geologie der Eifel. 3rd ed. Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, pp 618

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer W, Stets J (1998) Junge Tektonik im Rheinischen Schiefergebirge und ihre Quantifizierung. Z dt geol Ges 149:359–379

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer W, Stets J (2002) Pleistocene to Recent Tectonics in the Rhenish Massif (Germany). In: Schäfer A, Siehl A (eds) Rift Tectonics and Syngenetic Sedimentation – the Cenozoic Lower Rhine Basin and Related Structures. Netherlands J Geosci, Geologie en Mijnbow 81, 217–221

  • Michelsen O, Danielsen M, Heilmann-Clausen C, Jordt H, Laursen GV, Thomsen E (1995) Occurence of major sequence stratigraphic boundaries in relation to basin development in Cenozoic deposits of the southeastern North Sea. In: Steel RJ, Felt VL, Johannessen EP, Mathieu C (eds) Sequence Stratigraphy on the Northwest European Margin. Norwegian Petroleum Society (NPF), Spec Publ 5:415–427

  • Michon L (2003) Role of the Alpine belt in the Cenozoic lithospheric deformation of Europe sedimentologic/stratigraphic/tectonic synthesis. Géologie de la France 1:115–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Michon L, van Balen RT, Merle O, Pagnier H (2003) The Cenozoic evolution of the Roer Valley rift system integrated at a European scale. Tectonophysics 367:101–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minnigerode C (1985) Palaeoökologische Untersuchungen an der Basis des Rheinischen Hauptbraunkohlenflözes auf der Ville-Scholle. Paläont Z 59:43–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Minnigerode C, Richter HG (1986) Holzanatomische Untersuchungen fossiler Wurzelhölzer aus dem Miozän der Niederrheinischen Bucht. Rev Paleobotany and Palynology 48:253–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchum RM, Sangree JB, Vail PR, Wornardt WW (1993) Recognizing sequences and systems tracts from well logs seismic data and biostratigraphy Examples from the Late Cenozoic of the Gulf of Mexico. In: Weimer P, Posamentier HW (eds) Siliciclastic Sequence Stratigraphy, AAPG Memoir, 58:163–197

  • Mjos R, Hadler-Jacobsen F, Johannessen EP (1998) The distal sandstone pinchout of the Mesa Verde Group, San Juan Basin, and its relevance for sandstone prediction of the Brent Group, northern North Sea. In: Gradstein FM, Sandvik KO, Milton NJ: Sequence stratigraphy – concepts and applications. Norwegian Petroleum Society (NPF), Special Publication, 8: 263–297

  • Mörs T (1996) Die Säugetiere der oberoligozänen Fossillagerstätte Rott bei Bonn (Rheinland). Decheniana 149:205–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Mörs T (2002) Biostratigraphy and palaeoecology of continental Tertiary vertebrate faunas in the Lower Rhine Embayment (NW Germany). In: Schäfer A, Siehl A (eds) Rift tectonics and syngenetic sedimentation – the Cenozoic Lower Rhine Graben and Related Structures. Netherlands J Geosci, Geologie en Mijnbouw 81:177–183

  • Mörs T, von Koenigswald W, von der Hocht F (1998) Rodents (Mammalia) from the late Pliocene Reuver Clay of Hambach (Lower Rhine Embayment Germany). Meded Nederl Inst Toeg Geowetensch TNO 60:135–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Mörs T, von der Hocht F, Wutzler B (2000) Die erste Wirbeltierfauna aus der miozänen Braunkohle der Niederrheinischen Bucht (Ville-Schichten Tagebau Hambach). Paläont Z 74:145–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Nickel E (2003) Oligozäne Beckendynamik und Sequenzstratigraphie am Südrand des Nordwesteuropäischen Tertiärbeckens. Dissertation Universität Bonn, pp 151

  • Oehms EPN (1980) Schwermineralogische und mikropaläontologische Untersuchungen im marin beeinflussten Alttertiär des Antweiler Grabens (südliche Niederrheinische Bucht). Meded Werkgr Tert Kwart Geol 17:225–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Overeem I, Bishop-Kay C, Weltje GJ, Kroonenberg SB (2001) The Late Cenozoic Eridanos delta system in the Southern North Sea Basin: a climate signal in sediment supply? Basin Research 13:293–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paulssen H, Dost B, van Eck T (1992) The April 13, 1992 earthquake of Roermond (The Netherlands); first interpretation of the NARS seismograms. Geol en Mijnb 71:91–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelzing R (1992) Das Erbeben von Roermond 13. April 1992. pp 16, GLA NRW, Krefeld

  • Petzelberger BEM (1994) Die marinen Sande im Tertiär der südlichen Niederrheinischen Bucht – Sedimentologie Fazies und stratigraphische Deutung unter Berücksichtigung der Sequenzstratigraphie. Bonner Geowissenschaftliche Schriften 14, pp 112

  • Plein E, Doerholt W, Greiner G (1982) Das Krefelder Gewölbe in der Niederrheinischen Bucht Teil einer grossen Horizontalverschiebungszone? Fortschr Geol Rheinld u Westf 30:15–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Plenefish T, Bonjer KP (1997) The stress field in the Rhine Graben area inferred from earthquake focal mechanisms and estimation of frictional parameters. Tectonophysics 275:71–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quitzow HW, Vahlensieck O (1955) Über pleistozäne Gebirgsbildung und rezente Krustenbewegungen in der niederrheinischen Bucht. Geol Rundschau 43:56–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramón JC, Cross TA (1993) Characterization and prediction of reservoir architecture and petrophysical properties in fluvial channel sandstones middle Magdalena Basin Colombia. CT &F – Ciencia Technologia y Futuro 1:19–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramón JC, Cross TA (2002) Correlation strategies and methods in continental strata middle Magdalena Basin Colombia. [home page TACross: http://www.mines.edu, http://www.platte.com]

  • Ruchonet C, Kindler P (2005) Climate change at the Middle/Late Miocene boundary: Evidence from the Ragusa carbonate ramp (SE Sicily, Italy). In: Homewood P (ed) Abstracts, 24th IAS Meeting of Sedimentology, January 10–13 2005, p 146, Muscat/Oman

  • Schäfer A (1994) Die Niederrheinische Bucht im Tertiär – Ablagerungs- und Lebensraum. In: Koenigswald W, von Meyer W (eds) Erdgeschichte im Rheinland. Fossilien und Gesteine aus 400 Millionen Jahren, 155–164, München

  • Schäfer A, Siehl A (eds) (2002) Rift Tectonics and Syngenetic Sedimentation – the Cenozoic Lower Rhine Basin and Related Structures, Utrecht. Netherlands J Geosci, Geologie en Mijnbouw 81:145–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Schäfer A, Hilger D, Gross G, von der Hocht F (1996) Cyclic sedimentation in Tertiary Lower Rhine Basin (Germany) – the ’Liegendrücken’ of brown coal open-cast Fortuna mine. Sed Geol 103: 229–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schäfer A, Utescher T, von der Hocht F (1997) Klastische Sedimentsysteme im Tertiär der Niederrheinischen Bucht. In: Ricken W (ed) Exkursion E 4 Sediment ’97, 12. Sedimentologentreffen 21–24 Mai 1997 am Geologischen Institut der Universität zu Köln. Terra Nostra 1997:68–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Schäfer A, Utescher T, Mörs Th (2004) Stratigraphy of the Cenozoic Lower Rhine Basin northwestern Germany. Newsletter Stratigr 40:73–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schirmer W (ed) (1995) Quaternary field trips in Central Europe (Rhine Traverse). XIV International Congress 3.-10.8.1995, Berlin. International Union for Quaternary Research 9:475–558

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmincke HU (2000) Vulkanismus. Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, Darmstadt, pp 264

  • Schneider W (1995) Palaeohistological studies on Miocene brown coal of Central Europe. Int J Coal Geol 28:229–248

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider H, Thiele S (1965) Geohydrologie des Erftgebietes. Ministerium für Ernährung Landwirtschaft und Forsten NRW, Düsseldorf, pp 185

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber U, Rotsch S (1998) Cenozoic block rotation according to a conjugate shear system in central Europe – indications from paleomagnetic measurements. Tectonophysics 299:111–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sissingh W (1997) Tectonostratigraphy of the North Alpine Foreland Basin correlation of Tertiary depositional cycles and orogenic phases. Tectonophysics 282:223–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sissingh W (1998) Comparative Tertiary stratigraphy of the Rhine Graben, Bresse Graben and Molasse Basin: correlation of Alpine foreland events. Tectonophysics 300:249–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sissingh W (2003) Tertiary paleogeographic and tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Rhenish Triple Junction. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 196:229–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spies ED (1986) Vergleichende Untersuchungen an präpleistozänen Verwitterungsdecken im Osthunsrück und an Gesteinszersatz durch aszendente (Thermal-) Wässer in der Nordeifel (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge). (unpublished) Dissertation, University of Bonn, pp 182

  • Standke G (2002) Palaeogeographisch-fazielle Modellierung des Unter-/Mittelmiozän-Grenzbereichs in der Lausitz (Briesker Folge/Formation). pp 9, Thesen Dissertation, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg

  • Standke G, Rascher J, Strauss C (1993) Relative sea-level fluctuations and brown coal formation around the Early-Middle Miocene boundary in the Lusatian Brown Coal District. Geol Rundschau 82:295–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Teichmüller R (1974) Die tektonische Entwicklung der Niederrheinischen Bucht. In: Illies JH, Fuchs K (eds) Approaches to Taphrogenesis, Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, 269–285

  • Utescher T, Ashraf AR, Mosbrugger V (1992) Zur Faziesentwicklung im Neogen der Niederrheinischen Bucht. In: Kovar-Eder J (ed) Palaeovegetational Development in Europe, 235–243, Wien

  • Utescher T, Mosbrugger V, Ashraf AR (2000) Terrestrial climate evolution in northwest Germany over the last 25 million years. Palaios 15:430–449

    Google Scholar 

  • Valdivia-Manchego M (1994) Rechnergestützte stereophotogrammetrische Aufnahme und Auswertung fluviatiler Sedimentstrukturen im Tertiär der Niederrheinischen Bucht. Zbl Geol Paläont Teil I 1993:1011–1026

    Google Scholar 

  • Valdivia-Manchego M (1996) Stereophotogrammetrisch-sedimentologische Aufnahme und 3D-Modellierung von Schrägschichtungsgefügen am Beispiel einer pliozänen fluvialen Abfolge in der Niederrheinischen Bucht. Bonner Geowiss Schriften 21, pp 152

  • Van Balen RT, Houtgast RF, Van der Wateren FM, Vandenberghe J (2002) Neotectonic evolution and sediment budget of the Meuse catchment in the Ardennes and the Roer Valley Rift System. In: Schäfer A, Siehl A (eds) Rift Tectonics and Syngenetic Sedimentation – the Cenozoic Lower Rhine basin and related structures. Netherlands J Geosci, Geologie en Mijnbouw 81:211–215

  • Vandenberghe N, Hardenbol J (1998) Introduction to the Neogene. SEPM Spec Publ 60:83–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandenberghe N, Laenen B van, Echelpoel E, Lagrou D (1997) Cyclostratigraphy and climatic eustasy Example of the Rupelian stratotype. CR Acad Sci Paris Sciences de la terre et des planetes, Earth Planetary Sci 325:305–315

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandenberghe N, Laga P, Steurbaut E, Hardenbol J, Vail PR (1998) Tertiary sequence stratigraphy at the southern border of the North Sea Basin in Belgium. SEPM Spec Publ 60:119–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Vandenberghe N, Hager H, van den Bosch M, Verstraelen A, Leroi S, Steurbaut E, Prüfert J and Laga P (2001) Stratigraphical correlation by calibrated well logs in the Rupel Group between North Belgium, the Lower-Rhine area in Germany and southern Limburg and the Achterhoek in the Netherlands. In: Vandenberghe N (ed) Contributions to the Paleogene and Neogene stratigraphy of the North Sea Basin. Proceedings of the 7th Biannual Meeting of the Regional Committees of northern Neogene and Paleogene stratigraphy. Aardkundige Mededelingen, 11:69–84

  • Verbeek JW, de Leeuw CS, Parker N, Wong ThE (2002) Characterization and correlation of Tertiary seismostratigraphic units in the Roer Valley Graben. In: Schäfer A, Siehl A (eds) Rift Tectonics and Syngenetic Sedimentation – the Cenozoic Lower Rhine Basin and Related Structures. Netherlands J Geosci, Geologie en Mijnbouw 81:159–166

  • Vieten K, Hamm HM, Grimmeisen W (1988) Tertiärer Vulkanismus des Siebengebirges. Fortschr Miner 66 Beih 2:1–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinken R (1989) The Northwest European Tertiary Basin. Geol Jb A100, 1–508

  • Wheeler HE (1964) Base level lithosphere surface and time-stratigraphy. Geol Soc Amer Bull 75:599–610

    Google Scholar 

  • Wijbrans JR, Pringle MS, Koppers AAP, Scheveers R (1995) Argon geochronology of small samples using VULKAAN argon laserprobe. Proc Kon Nederl Akad v Wetensch 98:185–218

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams H, Flint S (1990) Anatomy of a channel-bank collapse structure in Tertiary fluvio-lacustrine sediments of the Lower Rhine Basin Germany. Geol Mag 127:445–451

    Google Scholar 

  • Zagwijn WH (1989) The Netherlands during the Tertiary and the Quaternary. A case history of coastal lowland evolution. Geol en Mijnbouw 68:107–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Zagwijn WH, Hager H (1987) Correlations of continental and marine Neogene deposits in the South-Eastern Netherlands and the Lower Rhine district. Meded Werkgr Tert Kwart Geol 24(1–2):59–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Zagwijn WH, Beets DJ, van den Berg M, van Montfrans HM, van Rooijen P (1985) Atlas van Nederland in 20 delen. Deel 13 – Geologie. 23 pp, S’Gravenhage

  • Zijerveld L, Stephenson R, Cloetingh S, Duin E, Van Den Berg MW (1992) Subsidence analysis and modelling of the Roer Valley Graben (SE Netherlands). Tectonophysics 208:159–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Rheinbraun AG (today RWE Power) (Köln), Erftverband (Bergheim), and Staatliches Umweltamt (Bonn) are kindly appreciated for the gratitude to use their well data, also thanks are due to Rheinbraun for their generous permission and help to enter their brown coal open-cast mines, where Gerhard Gross, Bertram Wutzler, and especially Fritz von der Hocht were altruistic guides for many years. The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) granted splendid financial support for all of us (SFB 350 – Bonn), for which we are deeply grateful. The paper benefitted from a DFG supported travel of A.S. to Tim A. Cross (Golden, Col., USA) some years ago, and from discussions with Tom Aigner, Volker Mosbrugger and Rahman Ashraf (Tübingen), with Agemar Siehl and Niko Froitzheim (Bonn), also and especially from many improvements suggested by the reviewers, who were Noel Vandenberghe (Leuven, Belgium) and Adam Vecsei (Leipzig). The late Hans Hager (Krefeld) initiated early steps into our research work. Tom McCann (Bonn) did the final reading; he not only corrected the English writing, but also suggested numerous valuable improvements to the manuscript. We thank all much for their help.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geologisches Institut, Universität Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115, Bonn, Germany

    A. Schäfer, T. Utescher, M. Klett & M. Valdivia-Manchego

Authors
  1. A. Schäfer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. Utescher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Klett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Valdivia-Manchego
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Schäfer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schäfer, A., Utescher, T., Klett, M. et al. The Cenozoic Lower Rhine Basin – rifting, sedimentation, and cyclic stratigraphy. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 94, 621–639 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-005-0499-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-005-0499-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation