Maldegem Formation
The Maldegem Formation is a geologic formation in the Belgian subsurface. The formation consists of alternating marine clay and sand strata, deposited during the late Eocene.
The Maldegem Formation crops out in the provinces of East-Flanders and West-Flanders and in the area between the Zenne and Dender rivers. In the northern parts of Flanders it forms an up to 50 meters thick sequence in the subsurface. Further south and to the east the formation pinches out and can be only a few meters in thickness.Lithology
The Maldegem Formation is an alternating sequence of grey glauconiferous fine sands and greyish blue glauconiferous heavy clay. It was deposited during the late Lutetian and Bartonian ages.Stratigraphy
Seven members can be recognized within the Maldegem Formation: Wemmel Member, Asse Member, Ursel Member, Onderdale Member, Zomergem Member, Buisputten Member and Onderdijke Member.
The Maldegem Formation is not part of a stratigraphic group and forms an independent unit in the lithostratigraphy of Belgium. Stratigraphically on top of it is usually the Zelzate Formation, part of the Tongeren Group. The Maldegem Formation is usually found on top of the Lede Formation, which belongs to the Zenne Group.
