The prehistoric Oer-IJ tidal system in the coastal area of Noord-Holland, between Castricum, Uitgeest, Velsen and Amsterdam, was the successor of the Haarlem tidal system when this was silted up around 3000 BC and large peat bogs formed in the Zaanstreek and Haarlemmermeer areas. Since then the Oer-IJ has been the natural outlet to the sea, draining the peat hinterlands. About 800 BC the Oer-IJ system was connected to the fluvial system of the Utrechtse Vecht and became the northern branch of the river Rhine. During the Late Iron Age, when the Flevo lakes in the IJsselmeer region and the Utrechtse Vecht were connected with the Wadden Sea, the Oer-IJ lost its discharge function. The tidal area silted up and was closed between 200 and 100 BC by a barrier ridge. The settlement history of the Oer-IJ system and the archaeological heritage in the subsurface is closely related to the geological and hydrological development throughout the ages. The shape and location of the continuously migrating outlet determined the opportunities for human settlements and activities. The best locations were beach ridges, higher, silted-up salt marshes and marginal zones of the peatland. In the Late Iron Age the sand flats also became habitable since tidal activity had stopped. In the Early Roman period there was no direct connection from the harbour of Castellum Flevum at Velsen to the North Sea, but ships could navigate from the Oer-IJ channel between Velsen and Amsterdam, through the Flevo lakes and the Utrechtse Vecht to the Wadden Sea, and to the Roman border (Limes) along the Oude Rijn. Here the data used for the palaeogeographic landscape reconstruction of the Oer-IJ are presented and explained, and the most important landscape-forming processes, which led to the emergence and closure of the Oer-IJ, are described. The landscape reconstructions give a new perspective on the migration of the main tidal channel and the formation of the tidal-inlet system near Castricum, which was the result of the progradation of the beach ridges south and north of the Castricummerpolder (Binnendelta according to De Roo, 1953). The geological and archaeological observations in the Binnendelta prove that the Oer-IJ was closed from the open sea in the early Late Iron Age.

A historical outline of the Eemian research in the Netherlands is presented as an introduction to recent research in the type area. At the end of the 19th and during the first part of the 20th century, Eemian sediments were recognized because of the presence of lusitanian and mediterranean mollusc species. From 1930 onwards, pollen analysis made it possible to identify also non-shell-bearing deposits and to equate them with the Eemian. At the same time this technique proved a valuable tool for understanding the vegetation development during this interglacial. Pollen zonation offered a unique possibility for the correlation of terrestrial sequences in North-West Europe.

The type area of the Eemian, near Amersfoort, was described by Harting in 1874 and was comprehensively restudied by Zagwijn (1961). A pollen zonation was introduced as a standard for the Netherlands, allowing the correlation of pollen records from both marine and non-marine depositional environments. This enabled a more detailed temporal resolution, resulting in a better understanding of the distribution of the various environments in the type area.

In the northern and central parts of the Netherlands, the identification of the marine sequence was, apart from the occurrence of the specific mollusc fauna, facilitated by the presence of a till of Saalian age underlying the Eemian deposits. The presence of deep glacial basins in these areas enabled the deposition and preservation of a complete Eemian record in a marine setting. Sediment accumulation in the basins began immediately following deglaciation at the end of the Saalian. The Eemian type sections at Amersfoort are situated near the margin of one of these basins.

Recent research of the Eemian focused on the integration of lithostratigraphic evidence and information on the sedimentary environment as derived from diatoms, dinoflagellates, foraminifers, molluscs and pollen.

In some karstic caves, the observation of numerous broken stalagmites may provide potential secondary evidence for intense palaeoearthquakes during recent past times. We have named these morpho-sedimentologic features seismothems. A methodology has been developed to discriminate broken speleothems due to earthquake-induced effects or caused by other mechanisms. A study has been carried out in the Belgian karst areas. In the Vesdre Valley, it seems difficult to find evidence of the well-known Verviers earthquake, probably the most destructive historical earthquake known in Belgium which occurred in 1692 AD. The most important concentration of broken stalagmites was discovered in the caves between Hotton and Han-sur-Lesse. The observations in the cave of Hotton suggest a seismic origin, the other origins can not be the cause of the speleothem break. This result implies a strong earthquake situated close to the cave. A preliminary AMS 14C age suggests a minimum age of 10100 ±1200 cal 14C yr BR for one stalagmite rupture in the Hotton cave.

To date, igneous rocks, either intrusive or extrusive, have been encountered in the Palaeozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary series of the Netherlands in some 65 exploration and production wells. Following 17 new isotopic K/Ar age determinations of the recovered rock material (amounting to a total of 28 isotopic ages from 21 different wells), analysis of the stratigraphic distribution of the penetrated igneous rock bodies showed that the timing of their emplacement was importantly controlled by orogenic phases involving intra-plate wrench and rift tectonics. Magmatism coincided with the Acadian (Late Devonian), Sudetian (early Late Carboniferous), Saalian (Early Permian), Early Kimmerian (late Late Triassic), Mid-Kimmerian (Late Jurassic), Late Kimmerian (earliest Cretaceous) and Austrian (latest Early Cretaceous) tectonic phases. This synchroneity presumably reflects (broadly) coeval structural reorganizations of respectively the Baltica/Fennoscandinavia-Laurentia/Greenland, Laurussia-Gondwana, African-Eurasia and Greenland/Rockall-Eurasia plate assemblies. Through their concomitant changes of the intra-plate tectonic stress regime, inter-plate motions induced intra-plate tectonism and magmatism. These plate-tectonics related events determined the tectonomagmatic history of the Dutch realm by inducing the formation of localized centres, as well as isolated spot occurrences, of igneous activity. Some of these centres were active at (about) the same time. At a number of centres igneous activity re-occurred after a long period of time.

Aggregate resource assessments, derived from three subsequent generations of voxel models, were compared in a qualitative way to illustrate and discuss modelling progress. We compared the models in terms of both methodology and usability. All three models were produced by the Geological Survey of the Netherlands. Aggregate is granular mineral material used in building and construction, and in this case consists of sand and gravel. On each occasion ever-increasing computer power allowed us to model at a higher resolution and use more geological information to constrain interpolations. The two oldest models, built in 2005 and 2007, were created specifically for aggregate resource assessments, the first as proof of concept, the second for an online resource information system. The third model was derived from the ongoing multipurpose systematic 3D modelling programme GeoTOP. We used a study area of 40 × 40 km located in the central Netherlands, which encompasses a section of the Rhine-Meuse delta and adjacent glacial terrains to the north. Aggregate resource assessments rely on the extent to which the occurrence and grain size of sand and gravel are resolved, and on proper representation of clay and peat layers (overburden and intercalations) that affect exploitability. Average model properties (e.g. total aggregate content) are about the same in all three models, except for a difference resulting from converting older lithological classifications to the current one. This difference illustrates that data selection and preparation are paramount, especially when dealing with quality issues. Generally speaking the results of the aggregate resource assessments are consistent and satisfactory for all three models, provided that they are judged at the appropriate scale. However, the assessments based on GeoTOP best approach the desired scale of use for the aggregates industry; in that sense progress was significant and each model was a better fit for the purpose.

Generalized analysis of geological-geomorphological structures of river valleys in Lithuania has been carried-out. Lithuania’s fluvial topography results from the retreat of the Scandinavian Nemunas (= Vistulian and/or Valdaian) Glaciation, as is shown by the study of geomorphological structures in the recent river valleys (representing the last 15,000 years), which were formed as the ice sheets progressively retreated and ice-barrier lakes were drained. Oxbows in the river valleys are most often located on the floodplain itself and on the first terrace above the floodplain. The oxbow lakes are subdivided into two groups: (1) formed in the near-river stage and (2) formed in the lake-bog stage. Separate development phases can be recognized within both groups of oxbow lakes. The more organic components of oxbow deposits provide specific information for palaeoecological reconstructions.

Anthropogenic changes to the natural landscapes of Lithuania have resulted in considerable geological transformation of rivers. Increased sediment volume, shallowing, silting and overgrowing of channels, lateral erosion of floodplains and the spread of ravine erosion on valley-side slopes are all phenomena characteristic of all the valleys in Lithuania. At present the natural components of river valleys and their ecosystems are being changed, mainly with negative consequences for humans.

The locality of Langenboom (eastern Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands), also known as Mill, is famous for its Neogene molluscs, shark teeth, teleost remains, birds and marine mammals. The stratigraphic context of the fossils, which have been collected from sand suppletions, was hitherto poorly understood. Here we report on a section which has been sampled by divers in the adjacent flooded sandpit ‘De Kuilen’ from which the Langenboom sands have been extracted. The studied section covers part of the marine Miocene Breda Formation and Pliocene Oosterhout Formation, and is topped by fluvial Quaternary deposits of presumably the Beegden Formation. The Breda Formation (15 – 18 m below lake surface) in this section is, based on organic walled dinoflagellate cysts, of an early-middle Tortonian age. The Oosterhout Formation (7 – 15 m below lake surface) comprises two depositional sequences, the lower of which (12 – 15 m below lake surface) presumably is the source of most Langenboom fossils. Combined dinoflagellate cyst and benthic mollusc indicators point to an early Zanclean - early Piacenzian age for this lower cycle. Its basal transgressive lag and (to lesser extent) top comprise reworked Tortonian taxa as well, Dinoflagellate cysts and a single benthic mollusc point to a Piacenzian age for the upper Oosterhout Formation sequence (7 – 12 m below lake surface).

The deep subsurface temperature data of the Roer Valley Graben have been re-analysed and combined with new temperature data from hydrocarbon exploration wells. The results show that the deep subsurface temperature distribution in the Roer Valley Graben is essentially the same as in the relatively stable high bordering the Roer Valley Graben to the southwest. Thus, the Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Roer Valley Graben, which is characterized by uplift and denudation during the Late Eocene and subsidence due to rifting starting from Late Oligocene, has hardly affected the temperatures in the graben, which is probably due to the slow subsidence and sedimentation rates. In contrast to what is suggested on previously published temperature maps, the Roer Valley Graben is probably not a relatively cold area in the Netherlands.

This paper aims to provide a synthesis and update concerning the fluvial terraces of the rivers flowing from the Vosges Massif (Moselle and palaeo Upper-Moselle-Meuse, Meurthe, Sarre). The terraces of these rivers are especially well-developed in the marly depressions of the Eastern Paris Basin, justifying an extensive field mapping expedition. The main rivers exhibit terrace staircases with 8 to 13 stepped terrace steps within 100m of the present valley floor. The fluvial sediments mainly originate from the Vosges Massif (crystalline basement and Permo-Triassic sandstones and conglomerates). Another peculiarity of the study area is the presence of several palaeovalleys, typically related to fluvial capture events which occurred to the detriment of the River Meuse. Many palaeomeanders have also been recognised in the Paris Basin (Meuse catchment), and the Rhenish Massif (Moselle and Sarre valleys). Despite some similarities, palaeoenvironmental reconstructions provide evidence for the terrace staircases being distinct from one valley / section of valley to another. These differences are related to the morphostructural framework and to the climate forcing (presence/absence of glaciers in the upper catchment of the rivers). The chronological framework suggests that the terrace sequences and the main capture events may be older than previously thought.

The present study consists of a synthesis of the lithostratigraphy, geotechnical properties, geometry and distribution of Eocene and Quaternary deposits of the Belgian continental shelf. It is based on available large datasets (seismics, cores, cone penetration tests) and their interpretations synthesised from numerous studies from the last 20 years. A significant effort has been focused on data digitisation and integration into appropriate GIS software packages in order to compare the data in a much more dynamic and flexible way. New insights have been proposed on the lithostratigraphy and geotechnical properties of offshore and onland deposits.

An application is presented for the selection of wind farm implantation sites. Geological and geotechnical aspects of direct interest for wind farm implantation site selection have been focused on, such as the stability of the offshore wind turbine structures and the minimization of environmental impacts on the seabed. Sites suitable for wind turbines using monopile structures on the Belgian continental shelf are proposed.

Due to their potential as a petroleum or geothermal system, the Dinantian carbonates of the Netherlands have recently attracted renewed interest because of the identified presence of excellent reservoir properties. This notion contrasts with the general assumption that these carbonates are tight. Therefore, in order to give the current knowledge state, this paper re-examines the sparse publicly available well and seismic data and literature to assess the distribution and reservoir properties of the Dinantian carbonates.

Dinantian carbonate deposition occurred throughout the study area (southern onshore and offshore of the Netherlands and northern Belgium), which is situated on the northern margin of the London–Brabant Massif, progressively onlapping the latter structure. This study confirms the presence of three carbonate facies types in the study area: a Tournaisian low-gradient carbonate ramp system, succeeded by a succession in which the carbonate ramp system evolved to a rimmed shelf setting. Subsidence of the northern margin of the London–Brabant Massif resulted in a landward shift of the shallow-marine facies belts, while the formation of normal faults resulted in a ‘staircase’-shaped shallow-water platform–slope–basin profile, associated with large-scale resedimentation processes. After deposition, the limestone deposits were frequently exhumed and reburied. A first period of regional exhumation occurred at the end of the Dinantian, which seems to be associated with porosity-enhancing meteoric karstification, possibly limited to the palaeo-shelf edge. The most intense alterations seem to be present as a deep leached horizon below the Cretaceous unconformity at the top of the Dinantian sequences. In addition, clear evidence for hydrothermal fluid migration is found locally, enhancing reservoir properties at some places while occluding porosity at others. The timing of these phases of hydrothermal fluid circulation is poorly understood.

Whereas in the United Kingdom hydrocarbons have been produced from karstified Dinantian carbonates, this petroleum play has received little attention in the Netherlands. This paper shows that, also for the Netherlands, a karstic reservoir probably existed before the start of hydrocarbon generation from the onlapping basal Namurian shales. The hydrocarbon prospectivity of these sediments, however, is primarily controlled by the presence of both a karst-related reservoir and migration routes from a decent-quality source rock. Two geothermal projects producing from this reservoir in the southern onshore Netherlands have shown the potential of the Dinantian carbonates for ultra-deep geothermal projects. To conclude, the findings presented herein are relevant for studies of the hydrocarbon prospectivity and studies of the geothermal potential of Dinantian carbonates in the Dutch on- and offshore.

Investigation of landforms on the eastern margin of the East Anglian Fenland basin has demonstrated that they represent a series of glaciofluvial delta-fan and related sediment accumulations (the Skertchly Line) deposited at the margin of an ice-lobe that entered the depression. This ‘Tottenhill glaciation’ dated to ca 160 ka, or the late Wolstonian (= late Saalian) Stage, is equivalent to that during the Netherlands' Drenthe Substage (Marine Isotope Stage 6). Of these landform complexes, an additional site at Shouldham Thorpe, previously nominated as the stratotype for deposits linked to a pre-Anglian Stage, Midlands'-derived Ingham/‘Bytham river’, has now been studied. Examination of the internal structure and form of the feature, using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), supported by section logging, borehole records, local landscape morphology and previous description, together indicate that the deposits rest on an eroded surface of Lowestoft Formation diamicton (Anglian Stage) and must therefore be of post-, rather than pre-Anglian age. The investigations indicate that the Shouldham deposits were laid down as a glacio-marginal subaerial (‘terminoglacial’) fan at the ice-front. In common with other sequences in the Skertchly Line complexes, deposition at Shouldham Thorpe was accompanied by minor ice-front movement, this fan potentially being deposited before retreat to the Tottenhill locality. The implications of the results are discussed.

We describe a new marine varanoid, Judeasaurus tchernovi gen. et sp. nov., on the basis of a partial skull recovered from the Middle Cenomanian of the Judean Hills. The new taxon possesses a unique suite of characters exhibited in terrestrial varanoid lizards on the one hand and derived mosasauroids on the other. The characters that relate it to terrestrial varanoid lizards include broad premaxilla, anteriorly depressed maxillae underlying the nasal capsule, extensive postorbitofrontal-parietal contact and vertically oriented parietal rami. Derived mosasauroid characters include a question-mark shaped quadrate, fused frontals, intricate fronto-parietal suture and moderately retracted nares. The shape of the supratemporal and its syndesmotic articulation with the parietal distinguishes the new taxon from any other known specimen. The dentition exhibits elongate and narrow cylindrical roots lacking resorption pits, a condition reminiscent of Coniasaurus, but crowns are small, slightly recurved and conical. Taken together, the new taxon possesses a suite of characters suggesting dolichosaurid affinities.

The Pleistocene stratigraphy of Poland is based on palynological analyses of buried organic lake sediments and dating with radiocarbon or thermoluminescence (TL), as well as on the lithologic-petrographical analyses of tills and other glacigenic deposits to which TL-dating was also applied. Rarely were sediments of the stratotype interglacial profiles to which palaeomagnetic methods and TL-dating were applied, examined by mineralogical, chemical and isotopie б180 and б13С analyses, except the Augustovian, Mazovian and Eemian interglacials. The data was recorded in both exposures and boreholes. Overall, tills of 8 glaciations have been identified: Narevian (Menapian), Nidanian, Sanian 1 (Elsterian 1), Sanian 2 (Elsterian 2), Liviecian (Fuhne), Krznanian (Drenthe), Wartanian (Warthe) and Vistulian (Weichselian). Substantial palynological evidence with complete pollen sequences and absolute dating exists for organic sediments of five interglacials: Augustovian (Bavelian Complex or Cromerian I), Ferdynandovian (Voigtstedt), Mazovian (Holstein), Zbójnian (Dömnitz) and Eemian. Other interglacials i.e. Malopolanian (Cromer Complex - II or III Interglacial) and Lubavian (Schöningen) are not sufficiently supported palynologically and especially the stratigraphie position and age of the Lubavian Interglacial is debated.

Multi-disciplinarity and multi-proxy approaches are necessary to understand the processes in complex earth systems. However, unlimited and uncontrolled multi-proxy-correlations may be risky. A number of case studies illustrate the potential pitfalls when the processes that drive the individual proxies have no common causal significance or dating is not precise enough. Crossing thresholds at different levels and delay times may also be factors that hamper direct correlations of proxies. Multi-proxy analysis of the intrinsic relationships between proxies in a system is the primary task before any correlation should be made.

The present publication deals with recent palynological results of a relatively small interval of Muschelkalk and exposures of the overlying clay deposits in the Winterswijk quarries. For the first time the Lower Muschelkalk Member in the Netherlands could be independently dated as Bithynian (Anisian, Middle Triassic). Contrary to widely accepted opinions the overlying almost black clay deposit is not Liassic but Rhaetian in age and it is assigned to the Sleen Shale Formation. This marginal marine clay which pinches out to the south, is in turn overlain by a light gray, full-marine Lower-Oligocene clay of the Rupel Formation. An anomalous occurrence of Liassic clay is now attributed to subrosion of Röt salt followed by collapse of the overlying Muschelkalk, Rhaetian and Lias strata.

In northwest Europe the pattern of earthquake distribution is correlated with known Quaternary faults. Excavation of fault scarps revealed that these fault zones have been active during the Late Pleistocene. In this paper we present the results of an exploratory trenching study across the Geleen Fault, part of the Feldbiss Fault Zone, the Netherlands. Middle Saalian fluvial deposits of the Meuse, overlain by local slope deposits, were excavated. The Geleen Fault has displaced the fluvial deposits by at least 5 meters. The upper layers of local slope deposits could be correlated across the fault and were all dated at approximately 15 ka B.P. This gives the opportunity to reconstruct the sequence of events that occurred about 15 ka ago. Liquefactions provide evidence for an earthquake event. However, the main offset along the Geleen Fault is not stratigraphically related to the liquefactions. The liquefactions and the fault offset are stratigraphically separated by a period of erosion. We therefore propose a sequence of events starting with an earthquake accompanied by liquefaction, followed by a period of postseismic displacement with high rates compared to the long-term average. After this period normal displacement rates occurred, comparable to the long-term average. The duration of the period of high displacement rates could not be determined.

Three nothosaur skulls from the Lower Muschelkalk (Lower Anisian) locality of Winterswijk, the Netherlands, were recently acquired by museum Twentse Welle (Enschede) and have thereby become available for scientific description. Thus, these skulls had been identified as Nothosaurus winterswijkensis, but upon examination these skulls challenge the status of this Nothosaurus species. All diagnostic characters are somehow discredited, but the material can also not be unequivocably be considered as Nothosaurus marchicus, which is the only other obvious candidate. As these fossils originate from the same strata as the type of Nothosaurus winterswijkensis and there is no reason to assume that the animals occupied different ecological niches they are more plausibly considered one species, and Nothosaurus winterswijkensis therefore becomes a junior synonym of Nothosaurus marchicus. The diagnosis of Nothosaurus marchicus is enlarged to include all finds.

For major parts of the Palaeolithic substantial areas of the current southern North Sea and what later became the English Channel were dry land. Those areas, now covered by tens of metres of sea, were occasionally core areas for large herds of herbivores and the animals that preyed upon them, including Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers. This is demonstrated by the large amounts of Pleistocene mammal fossils, artefacts and a Neanderthal fossil recovered during the last one and a half centuries. Any consideration of the Pleistocene occupation history of northwest Europe needs to deal with the fact that a major part of the landscape available to Pleistocene hunter-gatherers is currently submerged under the waters of the North Sea, one of the most prolific Pleistocene fossil-bearing localities world-wide. One also needs to take into account the complex landscape evolution of the southern North Sea basin, with geographically varying successions of marine, lacustrine, fluvial and glacial sedimentation and erosion. This paper gives a short overview of the occupation history of northwest Europe, from its earliest traces at the very end of the Lower and the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene up to the middle part of the Upper Palaeolithic, when this part of Europe became deserted for a period of about 10,000 years. Tentative interpretations and questions raised by the overview will be situated in the context of the information potential of the deposits in the southern North Sea and the Channel area.

This paper summarizes results of magnetostratigraphic and rock magnetic investigations performed on fluvial sediments from the Ludwigshafen-Parkinsel drilling project (Upper Rhine Graben (URG) Germany). The drilling penetrated into Pleistocene gravel, sand, silt and clay, and unconsolidated Pliocene deposits. Its primary objective was the exploration of groundwater resources in the area of Ludwigshafen. Our rock magnetic investigations together with results of heavy mineral analyses (see Hagedorn & Boenigk, 2008) show a clearly structured sediment profile. It was possible to identify the change from mainly locally controlled sedimentation from the Graben margins to a more distinct Alpine controlled sedimentation at a depth of 177 m by magnetic data. Based on lithostratigraphic correlation with other sedimentary records from the URG and also based on palynological evidence, this event happened at the end of Late Pliocene during a time of normal polarity of the Earth's magnetic field (Gauss Chron?). The well-documented characteristic change in magneto-mineralogy from goethite to greigite almost at the same stratigraphic level, we interpret solely as a climatic signal which can be correlated with the global climate change at ∼2.5 Ma that is well documented in a wide range of sedimentary environments (e.g. deep-sea sediments, loess).