Status
Formal (Van Adrichem Boogaert & Kouwe 1997).
Lithological description
Alternation of clays and silty clays with thin sand layers, grading upwards into fine-grained sands with a high glauconite content. Represents the sandy upper part of the Rupel Formation.
Depositional setting
Deposited in an inner-neritic marine environment.
Definition of lower boundary
Conformably overlies the Boom Member. In the Roer Valley Graben, the transition is marked by a decrease in gamma-ray and spontaneous-potential log readings. In the Venlo and Peel blocks, it is less distinct on logs. The lower boundary is gradual and diachronous. Along the basin margin the development of the Steensel Member starts earlier than closer to the basin centre.
Definition of upper boundary
Conformably or slightly unconformably overlain by the basal clay layers of the Voort Member of the Veldhoven Formation. In the Roer Valley Graben the transition stands out on log readings. In the southernmost part of Noord-Brabant the member is overlain by a sandy Voort Member. The unconformity here is only well visible on the resistivity log.
Geographical distribution
Regional correlation
UK: -; GER: ?; BEL: Eigenbilzen Formation Marechal & Laga (1988).
Age
early Oligocene (Rupelian).
Origin of name
Named after the village of Steensel.
References
Maréchal, R., Laga, P. (eds.) 1988. Voorstel lithostratigrafische indeling van het Paleogeen - Nationale Commissies voor Stratigrafie. Commissie: Tertiair, Belgische Geologische Dienst, Brussel, 208 p.
Van Adrichem Boogaert, H.A. & Kouwe, W.F.P. 1997. Stratigraphic nomenclature of The Netherlands, revision and update by RGD and NOGEPA, Section I, Tertiary. Mededelingen Rijks Geologische Dienst, 50, 1-39.
Cite as
TNO-GDN ([YEAR]). Steensel Member. In: Stratigraphic Nomenclature of the Netherlands, TNO – Geological Survey of the Netherlands. Accessed on [DATE] from https://www.dinoloket.nl/en/stratigraphic-nomenclature/steensel-member.
