Alternation of sandy limestone and sand with cross-bedded stratifications; locally, homogeneous sand, sandstone and coquinas (“lumachelles”).
Age
The Luxembourg Formation is clearly diachronic (Maubeuge, 1965; Guérin-Franiatte & Muller, 1986; Guérin-Franiatte et al., 1991). In eastern Belgian Lorraine, it encompasses the Upper Hettangian and the base of the Sinemurian, from Schlotheimia angulata to Arietites bucklandi ammonite Zones; in the western part of the area, this formation extends from the Lower to the Uppermost Sinemurian, from Arietites bucklandi to Echioceras raricostatum ammonite Zones.
Thickness
The formation, a hundred meters thick, comprises five members: at the base, the Metzert Member, a grey to yellow sandy unit (locally sandstone: “Clairefontaine facies “); then, above a slight angular unconformity, the Florenville, Orval and Virton Members, consisting of alternating yellow to orange sand and sandy limestone. These members are differentiated from one another only when separated by marl horizons (respectively, the Strassen and Posterie Members). West of the meridian of Prouvy, these marl horizons become thin layers very difficult to correlate. Near Virton, a third marl horizon (Trite Member) occurs near the base of the formation, separating Florenville and Chevratte Members. On the other hand, at the east of the meridian of Arlon, the same marl horizons thicken quickly and grade into the Arlon Formation. The Stockem Member which consists of clear sand is probably a weathering facies of the Virton Member or the Hondelange Formation.
Area of occurrence
Belgian Lorraine and Luxemburg.
Type locality
Large quarry along the N4 road, at Côte rouge (cf. Boulvain et al., 2017).
Alternative names
Authors
Dusar, M.
Date
14/12/2022
Cite as
Dusar, M., 2022. The Luxembourg Formation, 14/12/2022. National Commission for Stratigraphy Belgium. http://ncs.naturalsciences.be/lithostratigraphy/Luxembourg-Formation
