4.1.1. Veldwezelt Formation

Authors: P. Haesaerts, S. Pirson & E. Meijs - 07/12/2011

Description: Preserved on plateau or in depressions, these deposits are remnants of lower loesses most often strongly weathered, rarely as thicker calcareous loess (Meijs, 2002). The sediments are essentially characterised by silt and fine sand. Several interglacial Luvisols are preserved (i.e. Pottenberg, Montenaken, Hees and Rocourt pedocomplexes; Gullentops, 1954; Paepe & Vanhoorne, 1967; Meijs, 2002) (Fig. Z).

Figure Z. South-west/north-east cross-section from Lafelt to Veldwezelt showing the relationships between the different members of the Veldwezelt Formation, covering the Middle Pleistocene, the last interglacial (Eemian) and the Weichselian early glacial.

Stratotype: Eben-Emael (western wall of the CBR chalk quarry at Romont; 50°47'27''N / 5°38'37''E).

Paratypeat:

- Kesselt (Nelissen brickyard quarry; 50°50'13''N / 5°37'12''E);

- Veldwezelt-Hezerwater (western wall of the ancient Vandersanden brickyard quarry; 50°51'20''N / 5°38'24''E);

- the western bank of the Albert canal near Kesselt (50°50'25-38''N / 5°38'10-12''E).

Area: Middle Belgium, on plateau and slopes, especially in eastern Belgium. So far, the lithostratigraphic distinction between the 4 members presented hereafter has only been possible in eastern Belgium.

Age: Middle Pleistocene and early Upper Pleistocene (Rocourt pedocomplex, i.e. MIS 5 pro parte).

Remarks: Corresponds roughly to the Hainaut Member sensu Gullentops et al. (2001), formerly known as "Hennuyan" (Gullentops, 1954; see § 1.1.1.4). The lower loess complex contains too many lithologies to be kept as a single member (Meijs, 2002).