Excursions > One-day field trip: Belgian Paleogene

One-day field trip

Tertiary of Flanders, Belgium Ypresian and Rupelian (Paleogene)

Field trip to the historical stratotype areas of the Ypresian Stage and the Rupelian Stage in Belgium.

The historical type area of the Ypresian Stage around the city of Ieper (Ypres) consists of several vertically stacked clayey lithostratigraphic units, evolving laterally into fine sandy deposits. The field trip stop will be at the Kortemark clay pit where about 20m clay is excavated for brick making. It shows the transition of very heavy clay without sand admixture in the basal part of the pit to a clay with fine sand admixture in the top part of the clay pit. This lithological transition will be discussed in the context of the paleogeographical evolution of the area during the Ypresian time.

The historical type area of the Rupelian Stage is situated along the Rupel river around the town of Boom. It extends northwards along the Scheldt river till the area south of Antwerp. The field trip will have two stops: at the Kruibeke pit where about 25m of clay is excavated for the production of expanded clay products and a stop at Rumst along the Boom Clay cuesta along the Rupel river where clay is excavated for brick making. The lithological components and the origin of the cyclic sedimentation will be discussed, as well as the main diagenetic features like pyrite and septaria. The post-Rupelian uplift and paleogeographic history of the area will demonstrated.

Schedule: Friday 14^th July 2023

Organisers:

• Noël Vandenberghe: KU Leuven, Belgium

Transportation:

• Bus from and to Lille (Villeneuve d’Ascq).

Participant fees:

• Cost: 120 €
• Including transport, field guide, and lunch.
• Lunch included in a restaurant in Antwerp with visit of the historical city centre.
• Number of participants: Min/Max: 10 / 30

Weather/Requirements: Weather is usually good in July with temperatures around 20-22^oC. Rain is possible and a warm coat may be necessary at some exposed sites. Walking boots or walking shoes essential.

Field guide: A detailed field guide will be provided for the trip.