The Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic sedimentary record in the Campine Basin along the southern border of the North Sea Basin is analysed in terms of sequence stratigraphy. All available biostratigraphic, and in some cases, magnetostratigraphic data are used to constrain the sequence chronostratigraphy. The relative geographic extent of the strata is used as an indication of the relative sea level. Tectonic and eustatic components could be distinguished in several cases using regional geological information. Generally, sequences consist of transgressive and highstand systems tracts only and have flat, abrasiontype lower boundaries. Lowstand deposits are only identified as infill of erosional space, which generally implies marked tectonic uplift. Several eustatic and tectonic events can be correlated with similar events known elsewhere in the North Sea Basin. The time intervals spanned by the different sequences vary considerably, pointing out different control mechanisms.

Recent studies have demonstrated the complex depositional history of the Vijlen Member (Gulpen Formation) in the Maastricht-Aachen-Liège area, on which synsedimentary tectonics had a profound impact, in conjunction with regressive and transgressive episodes, the oldest portion of this member being preserved only locally, within channel-like structures. Our reinterpretation of the Vijlen Member, here presented, is at variance with current belemnite stratigraphy. To account for incongruities, reworking of belemnites is here proposed as a typical feature during Vijlen Member deposition. A renewed study of belemnites on the basis of these new data suggests that intervals 4–6 of the Vijlen Member are of late Maastrichtian age. With respect to the mean values of populations of Belemnitella junior Nowak and Belemnitella Iwowensis Naidin, Vijlen Member intervals 4–5 are coeval with the Spyridoceramus tegulatus/Belemnitella junior Zone (sensu germanico), whereas at least the upper portion of interval 6 is correlatable with the basal Tenuipteria argentea/Belemnitella junior Zone (sensu germanico). Although reworking of belemnites appears to have been a common feature, this cannot be properly substantiated without additional geochemical analyses of individual guards. For this reason, we refrain from proposing a biostratigraphic zonation of the Vijlen Member based on belemnites. Alternatively, scaphitid ammonites might be used to subdivide this member, because species such as Acanthoscaphites (Acanthoscaphites) tridens (Kner), A. (Euroscaphites) varians blaszkiewiczi Jagt, Kennedy & Machalski, Hoploscaphites constrictus (J. Sowerby), H. tenuistriatus (Kner) and Hoploscaphites sp. have been recorded. The last-named taxon represents an interspecies hybrid between the North American Jeletzkytes dorfi Landman & Waage and an unidentified subspecies of the endemic European lineage of H. constrictus, allowing correlation of the lower portion of Vijlen Member interval 6 with the Hoploscaphites birkelundae Zone of the United States Western Interior.

Two sections, just below the Nivelle Horizon in the upper Gulpen Formation (Upper Maastrichtian), and seven kilometres apart (CBR-Lixhe and ENCI-Maastricht bv quarries) have been analysed (samples every 5 cm) for dinocyst, pollen grains and bioclast contents as well as for carbon and oxygen isotopic composition, to obtain better insight into the influence of weathering on these sediments. The CBR section lies above groundwater level, while that at the ENCI quarry is some metres below. At the former quarry we recognised the influences of weathering (karst) nearby.At ENCI, palynological, bioclast and stable isotope results of the carbonate phase (mainly consisting of coccoliths) co-vary remarkably, displaying two cycles which may be interpreted tentatively as climatic fluctuations. The ∂18O curve varies roughly between −1.6‰ and −1.1‰ (on PDB scale), corresponding to a temperature change of about 2°C. Less negative values (i.e. cooler seawater) coincide with larger amounts of pollen of Normapolles and Triporates type assumed to represent temperate forest elements of a vegetation also containing tropical elements such as palms. Assuming the 5 cm sample intervals at ENCI to correspond to 1 ka, climatic maxima (and minima) may be 20–25 ka apart, obviously recalling Milankovitch precession cycles.These are independent of a sharp sedimentological change noted in the upper part of the lowest cycle (samples 42 to 24). Upwards of sample 42, bioclast contents increase and dinocysts, Spiniferites in particular, decrease significantly, corresponding to a marked shallowing. This turning point is also recorded in the ∂13C curve at ENCI. Bioclast percentages appear to follow composite trends that are influenced by both climatic and sedimentological conditions.

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The Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic sedimentary record in the Campine Basin along the southern border of the North Sea Basin is analysed in terms of sequence stratigraphy. All available biostratigraphic, and in some cases, magnetostratigraphic data are used to constrain the sequence chronostratigraphy. The relative geographic extent of the strata is used as an indication of the relative sea level. Tectonic and eustatic components could be distinguished in several cases using regional geological information. Generally, sequences consist of transgressive and highstand systems tracts only and have flat, abrasion-type lower boundaries. Lowstand deposits are only identified as infill of erosional space, which generally implies marked tectonic uplift. Several eustatic and tectonic events can be correlated with similar events known elsewhere in the North Sea Basin. The time intervals spanned by the different sequences vary considerably, pointing out different control mechanisms.