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Magnetostratigraphy and rock magnetism of the Boom Clay (Rupelian stratotype) in Belgium

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2016

D. Lagrou ,
N. Vandenberghe ,
S. Van Simaeys  and
J. Hus
D. Lagrou*
Affiliation:
Historische Geologie, KU Leuven, Redingenstraat 16, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
N. Vandenberghe
Affiliation:
Historische Geologie, KU Leuven, Redingenstraat 16, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
S. Van Simaeys
Affiliation:
Historische Geologie, KU Leuven, Redingenstraat 16, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
J. Hus
Affiliation:
Centre de Physique du Globe de l’IRM, 5670 Dourbes, Belgium
*
*Corresponding author: D. Lagrou, presently at the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (Vito), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium. E-mail:david.lagrou@vito.be
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Abstract

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This paper presents the results of a detailed rock magnetic and magnetostratigraphic study of the Lower Oligocene Rupelian unit-stratotype. Notwithstanding the relatively low intensity of the natural remanent magnetisation and the diverse and often unstable behaviour during demagnetisation, close-spaced sampling and accurate polarity determinations allowed us to determine the magnetic polarity zonation. The recognition of the characteristic magnetic polarity and the correlation with the standard magnetobiochronologic time scale yields an accurate chronostratigraphic dating of the Boom Clay Formation. The boundary between the geomagnetic chrons C12n and C12r nearly coincides with the lithostratigraphic boundary between theTerhagen and Putte Members. Rock magnetic techniques point to magnetite and probably also iron sulphides as the main magnetic remanence carriers. These magnetic minerals could, however, not be identified with classical mineralogical techniques performed on magnetic extractions. The failure to detect them may be due to the low concentration of these minerals, the small grain size, and the close physical relation with pyrite.

Keywords

Boom Clay Formationiron sulphidesmagnetostratigraphyrock magnetismRupelian
Type
Research Article
Information
Netherlands Journal of Geosciences , Volume 83 , Issue 3 , September 2004 , pp. 209 - 225
Copyright
Copyright © Stichting Netherlands Journal of Geosciences 2004

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