The lithostratigraphy of the lower Devonian formations of the Eisleck region (northern Luxembourg). Comparison with their Belgian lateral equivalents

Abstract

1. IntroductionThe Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg is divided into two main geographical regions, the Eisleck (Oesling in German) to the north (32% of the area) and the Guttland to the south (68% of the area). They correspond to two main geological provinces of the country (Fig. 1).Figure 1. Location map of the studied area.In the Eisleck region, lithostratigraphic units are of lower Devonian (Pragian and Emsian) age; they were folded during the Variscan orogeny) and belong to the SE part of the Ardenne Anticlinorium. From NNW to SSE, the main tectonic structures are: the Houffalize Synclinorium, the Bastogne-Stubach (Stupbach) Anticlinorium, the Neufchâteau-Wiltz-Eifel Synclinorium and the Givonne Anticlinorium. In detail, these large scale structures are complicated by numerous secondary synclines and anticlines.In the Guttland region, lithostratigraphic units belong to the Mesozoic era (Triassic and Jurassic); they are relatively flat-lying and form the northeastern tip of the Paris Basin, the so-called “Gulf of Trier-Luxembourg”.The oldest contribution to geology of the Eisleck region dates back to 1828 and is due to Steininger. The works of Wies (1867) and Wies & Siegen (1877) do not provide a lot of substantial additional information, except on the mineral wealth contained in the grounds of the Eisleck region. The first important contribution concerning the geological subdivisions of the Eisleck region is due to Gosselet (1885). Up to recently, the Luxembourg Devonian stratig