Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T20:47:57.018Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Architecture of the Holocene Rhine-Meuse delta (the Netherlands) - A result of changing external controls

Part of: Fluvial sedimentary record of the Rhine/Meuse system

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2016

M.J.P. Gouw  and
G. Erkens
M.J.P. Gouw*
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.115, 3508 TC Utrecht, the Netherlands
G. Erkens
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.115, 3508 TC Utrecht, the Netherlands
*
*Corresponding author. Email:[email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The Holocene Rhine-Meuse delta is formed under the influence of sea-level rise, tectonics, and variations in discharge and sediment supply. This paper aims to determine the relative importance of these external controls to improve our understanding of the evolution of the Rhine-Meuse fluvio-deltaic system. To do this, the geological and lithological composition of the fluvio-deltaic wedge has to be known in detail, both in space and time. This study presents five cross-valley sections in the Holocene Rhine-Meuse delta, based on almost 2000 shallow borings. Over 130 14C dates provide detailed time control and are used to draw time lines in the sections. Distinct spatio-temporal trends in the composition of the Holocene fluvio-deltaic wedge were found. In the upstream delta, the Holocene succession is characterised by stacked channel belts encased in clastic flood basin deposits through which several palaeo-A-horizon levels are traceable. In a downstream direction, the fluvio-deltaic wedge thickens from 3 to 7 m. The Holocene succession in the downstream cross sections formed from <8000 cal yr BP onwards and is characterised by single channel belts encased in organic flood basin deposits. The main part of the organic beds accumulated between 6000 and 3000 cal yr BP. After 3000 cal yr BP, clastic deposition dominated throughout the delta, indicating an increase in the area of clastic sedimentation. The Holocene fluvio-deltaic wedge is subdivided into three segments based on the relative importance of eustatic sea-level rise, subsidence, and upstream controls (discharge and sediment supply). Before 5000 cal yr BP, eustatic sea-level rise controlled the build-up of the wedge. After eustatic sea-level rise ceased, subsidence was dominant from 5000 to 3000 cal yr BP. From 3000 cal yr BP onwards, increased sediment supply and discharge from the hinterland controlled the formation of the fluvio-deltaic wedge. A significant part of the present-day Rhine-Meuse fluvio-deltaic wedge aggraded after eustatic sea-level rise ceased. We therefore conclude that external controls other than eustatic sea-level rise were also of major importance for the formation of the fluvio-deltaic wedge. Because this is probably true for other aggrading fluvial systems at continental margins as well, all external controls should be addressed to when interpreting (ancient) fluvio-deltaic successions.

Keywords

Rhine-Meuse deltafluvial stratigraphysea-level risesubsidencetime linesupstream controls
Type
Research Article
Information
Netherlands Journal of Geosciences , Volume 86 , Issue 1 , April 2007 , pp. 23 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © Stichting Netherlands Journal of Geosciences 2007

References

Amorosi, A., Calalongo, M.L., Pasini, G. & Preti, D., 1999. Sedimentary response to Late Quaternary sea-level changes in the Romagna coastal plain (northern Italy). Sedimentology 46: 99–121.Google Scholar
Berendsen, H.J.A., 1982. De genese van het landschap in het zuiden van de provincie Utrecht: een fysisch-geografische studie. Published PhD Thesis Utrecht University. Utrechtse Geografische Studies 10: 256 pp.Google Scholar
Berendsen, H.J.A., 2005. De Laaglandgenese databank. CD-ROM: Utrecht, Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University.Google Scholar
Berendsen, H.J.A. & Stouthamer, E., 2000. Late Weichselian and Holocene palaeogeography of the Rhine-Meuse delta, the Netherlands. Palaeogeography,Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 161: 311–335.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berendsen, H.J.A. & Stouthamer, E., 2001. Palaeogeographic development of the Rhine-Meuse delta, the Netherlands. Koninklijke Van Gorcum (Assen): 268 pp.Google Scholar
Berendsen, H.J.A., Hoek, W.Z. & Schom, E.A., 1995. Late Weichselian and Holocene river channel changes of the rivers Rhine and Meuse in the Netherlands (Land van Maas en Waal). In: Frenzel, B. (ed.): European river activity and climate change during the Lateglacial and Holocene. ESF Project European Paläoklimaforschung. Palaeoclimate Research 14: 151–171.Google Scholar
Blum, M.D. & Törnqvist, T.E., 2000. Fluvial responses to climate and sea-level change: a review and look forward. Sedimentology 47: 2–48.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bridge, J.S., 2003. Rivers and floodplains: forms, processes, and sedimentary record. Blackwell Publishing (Oxford): 491 pp.Google Scholar
Bronk Ramsey, C., 1995. Radiocarbon calibration and analysis of stratigraphy: the OxCal program. Radiocarbon 37: 425–430.Google Scholar
Bronk Ramsey, C., 2001. Development of the radiocarbon program OxCal. Radiocarbon 43: 355–363.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cohen, K.M., 2003. Differential subsidence within a coastal prism. Late-Glacial - Holocene tectonics in the Rhine-Meuse delta, the Netherlands. Published PhD Thesis Utrecht University. Netherlands Geographical Studies 316:172 pp.Google Scholar
Cohen, K.M., 2005. 3D Geostatistical interpolation and geological interpretation of palaeo-groundwater rise in the Holocene coastal prism in the Netherlands. In: Giosan, L. & Bhattacharya, J.P. (eds): River deltas - Concepts, models, and examples. SEPM Special Publication 83: 341–364.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cohen, K.M., Stouthamer, E. & Berendsen, H.J.A., 2002. Fluvial deposits as a record for Late Quaternary neotectonic activity in the Rhine-Meuse delta, the Netherlands. Netherlands Journal of Geosciences / Geologie en Mijnbouw 81: 389–405.Google Scholar
Friedrich, M., Kromer, B., Spurk, M., Hofmann, J. & Kaiser, K.F., 1999. Palaeo-environment and radiocarbon calibration as derived from Late Glacial/Early Holocene tree-ring chronologies. Quaternary International 61: 27–39.Google Scholar
Heiri, O., Lotter, A.F. & Lemke, G., 2001. Loss on ignition as a method for estimating organic and carbonate content in sediments: reproducibility and comparability of results. Journal of Paleolimnology 25: 101–110.Google Scholar
Hoek, W.Z., 1997. Palaeogeography of Lateglacial vegetations. Aspects of Lateglacial and Early Holocene vegetation, abiotic landscape, and climate in the Netherlands. Published PhD Thesis Free University Amsterdam. Netherlands Geographical Studies 230: 147 pp.Google Scholar
Holbrook, J., Scott, R.W. & Oboh-Ikuenobe, F.E., 2006. Base-level buffers and buttresses: a model for upstream versus downstream control on fluvial geometry and architecture within sequences. Journal of Sedimentary Research 76: 162–174.Google Scholar
Houben, P., 2003. Spatio-temporally variable response of fluvial systems to Late Pleistocene climate change: a case study from central Germany. Quaternary Science Reviews 22: 2125–2140.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jelgersma, S., 1979. Sea-level changes in the North Sea basin. In: Oele, E., Schüttenhelm, R.T.E. & Wiggers, A.J. (eds): The Quaternary history of the North Sea. Acta University (Uppsala). Annum Quingentesium Celebrantis 2: 233–248.Google Scholar
Lang, A. & Nolte, S., 1999. The chronology of Holocene alluvial sediments from the Wetterau, Germany, provided by optical and 14C dating. The Holocene 9: 207–214.Google Scholar
Mäckel, R., Schneider, R. & Seidel, J., 2003. Anthropogenic impact on the landscape of southern Badenia (Germany) during the Holocene - documented by colluvial and alluvial sediments. Archaeometry 45: 487–501.Google Scholar
Mangerud, J., Andersen, S.T., Berglund, B.E. & Donner, J.J., 1974. Quaternary stratigraphy of Norden, a proposal for terminology and classification. Boreas 3: 109–127.Google Scholar
Middelkoop, H., 1997. Embanked floodplains in the Netherlands: Geomorphological evolution over various time scales. Published PhD Thesis Utrecht University. Netherlands Geographical Studies 224: 352 pp.Google Scholar
Milne, G.A., Long, A.J. & Bassett, S.E., 2004. Modelling Holocene relative sea-level observations from the Carribbean and South America. Quaternary Science Reviews 24: 1183–1202.Google Scholar
Murray, A.S. & Wintle, A.G., 2000. Luminescence dating of quartz using an improved single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol. Radiation Measurements 32: 57–73.Google Scholar
Nederlands Normalisatie Instituut, 1989. NEN 5104. Geotechniek - Classificatie van onverharde grondmonsters. NEN (Delft): 24 pp.Google Scholar
NITG-TNO, 1998. Geologische Kaart van Nederland 1 : 50.000, blad Rotterdam Oost (37 0). Netherlands’ Institute for Applied Geosciences TN0 (Delft).Google Scholar
Oele, E., Apon, W., Fischer, M.M., Hoogendoorn, R., Mesdag, C.S., De Mulder, E.F.J., Overzee, B., Sesören, A. & Westerhoff, W.E., 1983. Surveying the Netherlands: sampling techniques, maps and their application. Geologie en Mijnbouw 62: 355–372.Google Scholar
Peltier, W.R., 2002. On eustatic sea level history: Last Glacial Maximum to Holocene. Quaternary Science Reviews 21: 377–396.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pons, L.J., 1957. De geologie, de bodemvorming en de waterstaatkundige ontwikkeling van het Land van Maas en Waal en een gedeelte van het Rijk van Nijmegen. PhD Thesis Wageningen. Bodemkundige Studies 3. Verslagen van Landbouwkundige Onderzoekingen 63.11 (‘s-Gravenhage): 156 pp.Google Scholar
Posamentier, H.W., Jervey., M.T. & Vail, P.R., 1988. Eustatic controls on clastic deposition, I. Conceptual framework. In: Wilgus, C.K., Hastings, B.S., Kendall, C.G.S., Posamentier, H.W., Ross, C.A. & Van Wagoner, J.C. (eds): Sea-level changes: an integrated approach. SEPM Special Publication 42: 109–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Posamentier, H.W., Allen, H.W., James, D.P. & Tesson, M., 1992. Forced regressions in a sequence stratigraphie framework: concepts, examples, and sequence stratigraphie significance. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin 76: 1687–1709.Google Scholar
Ryseth, A., 2000. Differential subsidence in the Ness Formation (Bajocian), Oseberg area, northern North Sea: facies variation, accommodation space development and sequence stratigraphy in a deltaic distributary system. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift 80: 9–25.Google Scholar
Saucier, R.T., 1994. Geomorphology and Quaternary geologic history of the Lower Mississippi Valley. 2 Volumes. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, Mississippi River Commission (Vicksburg, Mississippi): 364 pp.Google Scholar
Schumm, S.A., 1973. Geomorphic thresholds and complex response of drainage systems. In: Morisawa, M.E. (ed.): Fluvial Geomorphology. State University of New York (Binghamton): pp. 299–310.Google Scholar
Shanley, K.W. & McCabe, P.J., 1991. Predicting facies architecture through sequence stratigraphy - An example from the Kaiparowits Plateau, Utah. Geology 19: 742–745.Google Scholar
Stanley, D.J. & Warne, A.G., 1994. Worldwide initiation of Holocene marine deltas by deceleration of sea-level rise. Science 365: 228–231.Google Scholar
Stouthamer, E. & Berendsen, H.J.A., 2000. Factors controlling the Holocene avulsion history of the Rhine-Meuse delta (the Netherlands). Journal of Sedimentary Research 70: 1051–1064.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stouthamer, E. & Berendsen, H.J.A., 2001. Avulsion frequency, avulsion duration, and interavulsion period of Holocene channel belts in the Rhine-Meuse delta, the Netherlands. Journal of Sedimentary Research 71: 589–598.Google Scholar
Tanabe, S., Hori, K., Saito, Y., Haruyama, S., Phai Vu, V. & Kitamura, A., 2003. Song Hong (Red River) delta evolution related to millennium-scale Holocene sea-level changes. Quaternary Science Reviews 22: 2345–2361.Google Scholar
Törnqvist, T.E., 1993a. Fluvial sedimentary geology and chronology of the Holocene Rhine-Meuse delta, the Netherlands. Published PhD Thesis Utrecht University. Netherlands Geographical Studies 166: 169 pp.Google Scholar
Törnqvist, T.E., 1993b. Holocene alternation of meandering and anastomosing fluvial systems in the Rhine-Meuse delta (central Netherlands) controlled by sea-level rise and subsoil erodibility. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 63: 683–693.Google Scholar
Törnqvist, T.E., 1998. Longitudinal profile evolution of the Rhine-Meuse system during the last deglaciation: interplay of climate change and glacio-eustasy? Terra Nova 10: 11–15.Google Scholar
Törnqvist, T.E., Weerts, H.J.T. & Berendsen, H.J.A., 1994. Definition of two new members in the upper Kreftenheye and Twente formations (Quaternary, the Netherlands): a final solution to persistent confusion? Geologie en Mijnbouw 72: 251–264.Google Scholar
Tye, R.S., Bhattacharya, J.P., Lorsong, J.A., Sindelal, S.T., Knock, D.G., Puls, D.D. & Levinson, R.A., 1999. Geology and stratigraphy of fluvio-deltaic deposits in the Ivishak Formation; applications for development of Prudhoe Bay Field, Alaska. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin 83: 1588–1623.Google Scholar
Vandenberghe, J., 1995. Timescales, climate and river development. Quaternary Science Reviews 14: 631–638.Google Scholar
Van de Plassche, O. 1982. Sea-level change and water level movements in the Netherlands during the Holocene. Mededelingen Rijks Geologische Dienst 36: 93 pp.Google Scholar
Van Dijk, G.J., Berendsen, H.J.A. & Roeleveld, W., 1991. Holocene water level development in the Netherlands river area: implications for sea-level reconstruction. Geologie en Mijnbouw 70: 311–326.Google Scholar
Wallinga, J., 2001. The Rhine-Meuse system in a new light: optically stimulated luminescence dating and its application to fluvial deposits. Published PhD Thesis Utrecht University. Netherlands Geographical Studies 290: 180 pp.Google Scholar
Weerts, H.J.T., 1996. Complex Confining Layers. Architecture and hydraulic properties of Holocene and Late Weichselian deposits in the fluvial Rhine-Meuse delta, the Netherlands. Published PhD Thesis Utrecht University. Netherlands Geographical Studies 213: 189 pp.Google Scholar
Weerts, H.J.T. & Berendsen, H.J.A., 1995. Late Weichselian and Holocene fluvial palaeogeography of the southern Rhine-Meuse delta (the Netherlands). Geologie en Mijnbouw 74: 199–212.Google Scholar
Weerts, H.J.T. & Bierkens, M.F.P., 1993. Geostatistical analysis of overbank deposits of anastomosing and meandering fluvial architecture: Rhine-Meuse delta, the Netherlands. In: Fielding, C.R. (ed.): Current research in fluvial sedimentology. Sedimentary Geology 85: 221–232.Google Scholar
Westerhoff, W.E., Wong, T.E. & De Mulder, E.F.J., 2003. Opbouw van de ondergrond. Opbouw van het Neogeen en Kwartair. In: De Mulder, E.F.J., Geluk, M.C., Ritsema, I.L., Westerhoff, W.E. & Wong, T.E. (eds): De ondergrond van Nederland. Wolters Noordhoff (Groningen/Houten): 295–352.Google Scholar
Zagwijn, W.H., 1974. The palaeogeographic evolution of the Netherlands during the Quaternary. Geologie en Mijnbouw 5: 369–385 Google Scholar