Coastal low-lands are densely populated areas characterized by large economic activity. The shallow subsurface plays an important role because of geotechnical requirements for the foundation of structures and its potential for natural resources, such as sand, gravel, and groundwater. The application of geo-scientific data requires that the subsurface is represented as 2D and 3D models displaying the stratigraphie relations of sedimentary rock units, both on-and off-shore.

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.

Mapping combined with till provenance studies have resulted in a re-appraisal of the pre-Devensian glacial stratigraphy of Norfolk, England. The traditional model invoked two formations, a North Sea Drift Formation (NSDF) overlain by a Lowestoft Formation, formed by co-existing ice-sheets originating in Scandinavia and Northern Britain respectively. The NSDF included three diamictons, the First, Second and Third Cromer tills. The Briton’s Lane Sands and Gravels were considered to overlie the Lowestoft Formation. However, our work has shown this stratigraphy to be untenable, and we propose a model of several glaciations instead of co-existing ice-sheets. In our revised stratigraphy, the oldest formation, the Happisburgh Formation (including the Happisburgh or First Cromer Till) includes massive, sandy tills derived from northern Britain. The overlying Lowestoft Formation, including the Second Cromer (Walcott) Till is confirmed as derived from the west, introducing much Jurassic material as well as Chalk. The Sheringham Cliffs Formation includes both brown sandy tills (the Third Cromer Till) and ‘marly drift’, in a variety of tectonic relationships, and derived from the north and NNW. Finally the Briton’s Lane Formation is the only formation to include Scandinavian erratics. Dating of the four formations is at varying levels of confidence, with the Lowestoft Formation most confidently confirmed as MIS 12. The Happisburgh Formation is believed to represent an earlier glaciation, and MIS 16 is proposed. The Sheringham Cliffs Formation is tentatively believed to date from MIS 10, and the Briton’s Lane Formation is assigned to MIS 6.

This paper presents an overview of a provisional lithostratigraphical framework for the Quaternary and Neogene deposits of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) (onshore). The objective is to provide a workable framework to aid future Quaternary mapping and research, and a stratigraphical scheme capable of use in a wide variety of applications. Using the full hierarchy, a supergroup, group and subgroup lithostratigraphy, based upon the primary mapping unit, the formation, is proposed. It is recommended that some classes of lithogenetically-defined deposits which, at present cannot be accorded formational status, should be assigned informally to one of the proposed groups or subgroups. The framework distinguishes one superficial deposits supergroup within which seven groups are defined: i) Crag Group, marine deposits (Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene); ii), Dunwich Group, fluvial deposits (pre-Anglian/pre-Elsterian); iii) Residual Deposits Group; iv) British Coastal Deposits Group, coastal and marine deposits (Anglian to Holocene); v) Britannia Catchments Group, fluvial, organic and mass movement deposits (Anglian to Holocene) within broadly defined catchment areas related to Late Devensian to present-day physiography; vi) Albion Glacigenic Group, glacigenic deposits (pre-Devensian/pre-Weichselian), and vii) Caledonia Glacigenic Group, glacigenic deposits (Devensian/Weichselian). North of the Devensian (Weichselian) ice-sheet limit, a series of glacigenic subgroups are defined geographically for the two glacigenic groups on the basis of mappable formations of till. The subgroups include associated formations of glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine deposits. Consequently some of the glacigenic water-lain units may extend beyond the Devensian limit. Catchment subgroups of the Britannia Catchments Group are proposed for formations and lithogenetic units defined within broad present-day physiographic regions by major river drainage systems that have developed since Middle Pleistocene time. Lithostratigraphical description and correlation of formations will aid the refinement of the proposed framework and enable the development of lithostratigraphical maps and three-dimensional models. As well as offering a unified framework for onshore Quaternary and Neogene deposits the proposed supergroup, group and subgroup structure may prove useful for a wide range of regional applications (e.g. hydrological, hydrogeological, engineering).

This paper provides a concise review of investigations into the Cenozoic stratigraphy of the Danish North Sea Basin. In the Danish North Sea, mainly Pliocene and Pleistocene strata are found. Results of published seismic and sequence stratigraphic analyses are combined with biostratigraphic analyses and correlated to marine formations found onshore.

Geological structures and Late Quaternary stratigraphy of the shallow subsurface along the southernmost Danish North Sea coast have been investigated using seismic data and shallow boreholes. A large-scale glaciotectonic thrust complex has been mapped in an area of 15 km by 40 km in the Fanø Bugt area. The affected succession consists of Neogene and Quaternary sediments deformed down to a depth of 200 – 360 m. A kineto-stratigraphic correlation to onshore glaciotectonic deformation suggests that the deformation took place during a westward advance stage of the Late Saalian (Warthe) glaciation. The western limit of the glaciotectonic structures constitutes an N-S striking deformation front situated 35 km off the west coast. Based on the glacial stratigraphy outside the deformation front, it is suggested that the same ice advance that caused the glaciotectonic deformation, eroded the top of the thrust sheets, and subsequently deposited a lower unit of meltwater sediments and an upper heterogenous glacigenic unit. The upper glacigenic unit forms a bank about 30 km offshore. Between the bank and the shore, the surface of the Saalian glacial landscape forms a wide depression ca. 50 m below sea level. This basin has controlled deposition in the area since the late Saalian and is filled with sediments of late Saalian, Eemian, Weichselian and Holocene age. The base of the Holocene marine deposits is thus a flat erosional surface extending eastward several kilometres below the onshore coastal areas and the northern Wadden Sea. This surface was transgressed 8800 years ago. An inverted, in plan view T-shaped, Holocene sand accumulation approximately 25 km long, 30 km wide and 15 – 25 m thick is situated on top of this surface at Blåvands Huk. According to recent estimates by the Danish Coastal Protection Board some 2.5 million m3 sediments are supplied annually to the system from the north. In the last 3000 years, 25 km of the west coast and the associated shoreface slope have prograded ca. 3 km towards the west forming a barrier spit complex. Large aeolian dunes and cover sands now conceal the spit complex. Extending twenty km west of Blåvands Huk is a highly dynamic bank, the Inner Horns Rev, with active sand-accumulation on the slopes. The Inner Horns Rev bank has grown ca. 3.5 km westward during the last 800 years. The deposits seem to be sourced by the coastal longshore sand transport from the north. The Outer Horns Rev was previously assumed to be a Saalian terminal moraine. However, this investigation reveals that it is also mainly a Holocene marine accumulation landform, but sourced from the west. Other sand accumulations, which are situated 20 – 30 km west of the coast, are probably sourced from both the south and the west.

A revised Upper Cenozoic stratigraphic framework of the Dutch sector of the North Sea Basin is presented whereby offshore stratigraphic units are integrated or correlated with onshore units. The framework is based on an integrated stratigraphic approach that combines elements of lithostratigraphy, seismostratigraphy and allostratigraphy. Offshore formations are redefined in terms of seismofacies and lithofacies associations, and are differentiated on the basis of common genesis and stratigraphic position. These facies associations represent five major depositional environments, which occur in repetitive successions in the subsurface of the Netherlands: Marine, Coastal, Glacial, Fluvial, and Local Terrestrial. Five conceptual basin-wide bounding discontinuities are identified in the North Sea-Basin that span land and sea. They are represented by both seismostratigraphic and lithostratigraphic unconformities and interpreted as surfaces that formed as a result of North Sea Basin-wide changes in depositional systems. Their formation relates to sea level rise, continental-scale glaciations, and tectonic processes. The bounding discontinuities separate informal allostratigraphic groups of formations that have a grossly uniform geologic setting in common. While the allostratigraphic principles provide a view on the stratigraphy on the largest spatial and temporal scale, the genetic concept facilitates mapping on a local scale.

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.