Strontium (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) dating of marine shells from Pliocene and Pleistocene shallow marine deposits in The Netherlands

Abstract

87Sr/ 86 Sr (Strontium) ratio analyses of shell material (mainly Arctica islandica) from 24 levels in the Maassluis Formation of boreholes Noordwijk, Zegveld and Terschelling suggest that the age of the formation ranges from 0.82 to 2.34 Ma (± 0.5 Ma), and that the Oosterhout Formation at Noordwijk could be as much as 2.5 Ma older than hitherto assumed.

The geometry and stratigraphic position of the Maassluis Formation (western Netherlands and southeastern North Sea)

“…If we use the biostratigraphic age estimates from the Noordwijk hole (Jansen et al, 2004), the base of the Berggren et al (1995). Benthic foraminiferal zones are after Doppert (1980), mollusc zones are after Spaink (1975) and pollen zones are after Zagwijn (1998).…”

“…Unit 3 (with parallel continuous reflectors) is interpreted as representing the landward side of a highstand wedge, with coastal deposits such as beach, dune and marsh sediments (Jansen et al, 2004). Both at the top and the base of this unit incised channels interrupt the parallel reflectors, indicating a relative base level (sea level) drop.…”