The geological record of the Breda Formation in the subsurface of the Island of Noord-Beveland (Province of Zeeland, The Netherlands) from the Colijnsplaat borehole (42G24-1): A sequence-stratigraphic approach

We investigate the stratigraphy of the Breda Formation of the Colijnsplaat borehole (Noord Beveland, Zeeland, The Netherlands). The formation is of Late Miocene - earliest Pliocene age. It contains two depositional sequences separated by a hiatus. The lower sequence is of the Tortonian age (Late Miocene) and the upper sequence is of Early Zanclean age (Early Pliocene). The deposits originated in the subtidal to inner neritic setting under warm temperate to subtropical conditions. The Breda Formation at Colijnsplaat is compared to the record of the Breda Formation in the south-west Netherlands (Schelphoek, Schouwen-Duiveland, Zeeland) and to the Miocene - Early Pliocene successions in the offshore at the continental platform to the north and in the Antwerp area to the south. We conclude that the record of the Breda Formation at Colijnsplaat is less complete than at Schelphoek and in the Antwerp area. The depositional sequences at Colijnsplaat correspond with middle and upper sequence of the Breda Formation at Schelphoek and with the Deurne Member and the Kattendijk Member respectively in the Antwerp area. Deposits of Middle Miocene age at Schelphoek (lowermost sequence) and in the Antwerp area (Antwerp Sands) are not present at Colijnsplaat.