5.8 Maurenne Formation - MAU

Authors: Bouckaert et al., 1974; Paproth et al., 1983. The formation was previously known as the Calcschistes de Maredsous (de Dorlodot, 1895).

Description: The formation rests abruptly on the thick-bedded crinoidal limestones of the Landelies Formation. It consists of calcareous shales and argillaceous limestones. Shelly layers are numerous in the lower part (tempestite). The fauna is more diversified in the upper part with numerous small rugose corals. The formation ends with a few beds of argillaceous cherty limestones.

Stratotype: Maurenne village; abandoned quarry situated 1900 m NW of the bridge at Hastière (DSA).

Area: The formation is restricted to the DSA.

Thickness: The thickness in the stratotype is about 13 m. It never exceeds 20 m.

Age: Latest Hastarian based on the last occurrence of the conodont Siphonodella (Conil et al., 1991). Corals are poorly known. The Maurenne Fm marks the base of the TST of the third-order sequence 3 (Hance et al., 2001).