Aachen Formation

Code
CKAK
Status
Formal (Felder 1975). Amended (Felder & Bosch 2000).
Lithological description

Complex unit of brownish cross-bedded grey sands, with mainly in the lower part silt and clay layers. Locally wood fragments, brown coal and root horizons occur.

Depositional setting

Fluvial environment during deposition of the basal section (Hergenrath Clay), followed by a shallow marine environment due to transgression (Aken Sand). The transgression continued and fluvial systems transported sand with wood fragments and plant remains (Hauset Sand).

Definition of lower boundary

Rests unconformably upon deposits of the Carboniferous Limburg Group.

Definition of upper boundary

Nature of contact with the overlying Vaals Formation remains unclear.

Thickness indication
Up to 60 m.
Geographical distribution
Regional correlation
UK: Lamplugh and Jukes formations (offshore); GER: Aachen Formation; BEL: Aachen Formation.
Age
Santonian.
Holostratotype
Well:
Aachener Wald (no well)
Depth (thickness) AH:
-
Comments:
The type area is the forest south of the city of Aachen (Aachener Wald) on the border between Germany and Belgium.
Origin of name
Named after the city of Aachen (Aken) in Germany.
Previous name(s)
Akens(ch) Zand, Akensche Zanden
Reviewed by (date)
Mark Geluk, Geert-Jan Vis (June 2017).
References
Felder, W.M. 1975. Lithostratigrafie van het Boven‑Krijt en het Dano‑Montien in Zuid‑Limburg en het aangrenzende gebied. In: Zagwijn, W.H. & Van Staalduinen C.J. (eds.), Toelichting bij geologische overzichtskaarten van Nederland, Rijks Geologische Dienst, Haarlem, 63‑72.
Felder, W.N. & Bosch, P.W. 2000. Het Krijt van Zuid-Limburg. NITG-TNO, Geologie van Nederland 5, 190 p.
Cite as
TNO-GDN ([YEAR]). Aachen Formation. In: Stratigraphic Nomenclature of the Netherlands, TNO – Geological Survey of the Netherlands. Accessed on [DATE] from https://www.dinoloket.nl/en/stratigraphic-nomenclature/aachen-formation.