5.29 Salet Formation - SAL

Authors: Conil & Lys, 1964; Paproth et al., 1983; Hance, 1988; Hance et al., 1994.

Description: The Salet Formation overlies the Molignée Formation and is succeeded by the thick-bedded limestones of the Neffe Formation. After a basal, dolomitized breccia bed, the lower part of the formation consists of medium-bedded, light-grey to grey, bioclastic limestones (packstones and grainstones). The upper part is thicker-bedded and contains cherty limestones. Dolomitization can affect the base and the upper part of the formation. The macrofauna is poor. The formation as described here includes the first sequence of the Neffe Limestone sensu Conil & Naum (1977). Delcambre & Pingot (1993) do not recognize the Salet Fm and they include the rocks of the formation into the Molignée Fm.

Stratotype: Road section along the side road leading to the village of Salet from the main road along the Molignée valley, about 4 km WSW of Yvoir. From bed 295 to top of bed 480.

Area: DSA. To the south, the lower part of the Salet Fm passes laterally into the Molignée Fm. The Terwagne Fm is its lateral equivalent on the inner shelf.

Thickness: 100 m in the stratotype.

Age: Moliniacian (early Visean). In the stratotype, a rich archaediscid association allows recognition of the boundary between the Cf4band gForaminifer Subzones within the formation. The rugose coral Dorlodotia briarti densa has been found in the base, indicating the RC5 Zone. The Salet Fm corresponds to the TST of the third-order sequence 6 of Hance et al. (2001).