Middle Eocene sequence stratigraphy in the Balegem quarry (Western Belgium, Southern Bight North Sea)

Application of sequence stratigraphy principles in a classic outcrop of a Middle Eocene shallow marine sediment series (Balegem, Western Belgium) allowed detailed sediment genesis reconstruction. The lowermost sequence consists of vertical and progradational aggradation of Vlierzele Member sands. Remnants of the missing Aalter Formation are included in the basis of the Lede Formation, forming a sequence with a mainly stepwise transgressive character as underlined by its stacked retrogradational pattern of several parasequences. The general occurrence of the calcareous sandstone layers document these higher order relative sea level fluctuations as iron sulfate reduction seems to be responsible for the carbonate precipitations in zones of mixing-fluid migrations. The uppermost sequence (basal part of the Maldegem Formation) consists of 2 stacked finning upward parasequences of transgressive and regressive but more distal character