Stepwise Basin Evolution of The Middle Jurassic-Ea

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Stepwise basin evolution of the Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous rift phase in

the Central Graben area of Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands
Article in Geological Society London Special Publications · March 2018

DOI: 10.1144/SP469.23
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Stepwise basin evolution of the Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous

rift phase in the Central Graben area of Denmark,
Germany and The Netherlands
R. M. C. H. VERREUSSEL1*, R. BOUROULLEC2, D. K. MUNSTERMAN1, K. DYBKJÆR3,
C. R. GEEL2, A. J. P. HOUBEN1, P. N. JOHANNESSEN3 & S. J. KERSTHOLT-BOEGEHOLD2
1
TNO Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, Geological Survey of the
Netherlands, Princetonlaan 6, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
2
TNO Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, Applied Geosciences,
Princetonlaan 6, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
3
GEUS Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350,
Copenhagen, Denmark
*Correspondence: roel.verreussel@tno.nl
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a cross-border study of the Middle Jurassic–Early Cre-
taceous rift phase in the Danish–German–Dutch Central Graben area. Based on long-distance cor-
relations of palynologically interpreted wells, a stepwise basin evolution pattern was determined.
Four phases are defined and described as tectonostratigraphic mega-sequences (TMS). The TMS
are governed by changes in the tectonic regime. TMS-1 reflects the onset of rifting, triggered by
regional east–west extension. Rift climax was reached during TMS-1, reflected by thick mudstone
accumulations. TMS-2 reflects a change in the tectonic regime from east–west to NE–SW extension.
NW–SE-trending normal faults became active during this phase, switching the depocentres from the
graben axis into adjacent basins. TMS-3 displays divergent basin development. In the Dutch Central
Graben area, it is characterized by a basal unconformity and widespread sandstone deposition, indi-
cating continued salt and fault activity. Organic-rich mudstone deposition prevails in the Danish and
German Central Graben area, indicating sediment starvation and water-mass stratification. With
TMS-4 the rift phase ended, reflected by regionally uniform mudstone deposition. The basin evolu-
tion model presented here coherently places the lithostratigraphic units occurring in a stratigraphic
framework and provides a valuable basis for hydrocarbon exploration activities in the region.
Gold Open Access: This article is published under the terms of the CC-BY 3.0 license.
In this paper, a basin evolution model for the Middle of lithostratigraphic units across the various sub-
Jurassic–Early Cretaceous rift phase of the basins and for the establishment of tectonic phase
cross-border Central Graben area in Denmark, Ger- timing, such as the onset of fault or salt movement.
many and The Netherlands is presented (Fig. 1). It is apparent that the Middle Jurassic–Early Creta-
This study builds on earlier work from TNO (Nether- ceous basin evolution of the Central Graben area
lands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) is mainly controlled by broad-scale changes in its
on the Dutch Central Graben (Herngreen & Wong tectonic history, in particular by a change in the
1989; Van Adrichem Boogaert & Kouwe 1993; extensional regime occurring during the Late Kim-
Abbink et al. 2006; De Jager 2007; Lott et al. 2010; meridgian (Møller & Rasmussen 2003; Zanella &
Munsterman et al. 2012) and from the Danish Geo- Coward 2003). Absolute sea-level changes also
logical Survey (GEUS) on the Danish Central Graben played an important role, especially with respect to
(Johannessen et al. 1996, 2010a; Andsbjerg & Dybk- sediment and facies distribution (Andsbjerg & Dybk-
jær 2003; Johannessen & Andsbjerg 1993; Møller & jær 2003; Abbink et al. 2006; Bouroullec et al. 2018).
Rasmussen 2003). Ideas and concepts from these This study confirms that this change in exten-
papers have been refined and integrated into a single sional direction led to a region-wide shift in the
cross-border basin evolution model. This was main depocentre position from basin axis to basin
achieved by detailed palynological analysis on margin and later to the adjacent basins. In addition,
approximately 230 exploration wells in the area. it is demonstrated for the first time that the basin evo-
The palynological results allowed for the correlation lution of the Danish and Dutch Central Graben is
From: KILHAMS, B., KUKLA, P. A., MAZUR, S., MCKIE, T., MIJNLIEFF, H. F. & VAN OJIK, K. (eds) Mesozoic Resource
Potential in the Southern Permian Basin. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 469,
https://doi.org/10.1144/SP469.23
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by The Geological Society of London.
Publishing disclaimer: www.geolsoc.org.uk/pub_ethics
R. M. C. H. VERREUSSEL ET AL.
Fig. 1. Location map showing structural elements, well locations and correlation panels. The graben axis is indicated
in the blue polygon, the basins adjacent to the graben axis are indicated in olive green polygons, the plateau areas in
pale yellow fill and the structural highs in grey polygons. Principal faults are drawn in red. Parts of the offshore
sectors of five countries are represented on the map: Norway (NO), Denmark (DK), Germany (GER), United
Kingdom (UK) and The Netherlands (NL). The purple line indicates the maximum extent of the Middle Jurassic–
Lower Cretaceous sediments. The blue line shows the position of the panel in Figures 5 and 16; the green line
corresponds to Figures 6 and 17; the yellow line corresponds to Figures 7 and 18.
CENTRAL GRABEN RIFT EVOLUTION
very similar in the initial phase of rifting, but di- in an active rift setting (Fraser et al. 2003; Zanella
verges considerably in the last phase (latest Volgian & Coward 2003). As a consequence, the effect of
and Ryazanian). Four tectonostratigraphic mega- eustatic sea level on the distribution of sediments
sequences (TMS) and nine subordinate sequences plays a subordinate role compared to the tectonic
(TS) are defined and described. Combined, these component. On a third-order scale, however, facies
sequences capture the step-wise basin evolution of changes related to eustasy do occur and provide a
the Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous rift phase of basis for correlation.
the Central Graben area (Fig. 2). The numerous lith- After the publications of Partington et al. (1993a,
ostratigraphic units from Danish and Dutch strati- b), this sequence stratigraphic approach was widely
graphic nomenclature that occur in the studied time adopted in North Sea exploration (Andsbjerg &
interval are coherently placed and are displayed on Dybkjær 2003). Partington et al. (1993a, b) intro-
Wheeler diagrams. duced a sequence stratigraphic framework in which
the J-sequences of Rattey & Hayward (1993) were
further subdivided and in which the maximum flood-
Geological setting ing surfaces (MFS) were presented as correlatable
Tectonic setting horizons, named after the ammonite chronozones
these MFS were associated with. In later publications
During the Mesozoic, a large rift system developed in (Duxbury et al. 1999; Fraser et al. 2003), a nomen-
the present-day North Sea area as a result of the clature based on maximum abundances of dinofla-
break-up of Pangea (Zanella & Coward 2003). The gellate cysts was preferred. Regionally important
first rift phase took place during the Triassic and MFS are the J46 in the latest Callovian, the J63
resulted in large and relatively wide graben structures and J64 in the Late Kimmeridgian and the J76 in
filled with predominantly non-marine sediments. the Late Ryazanian (Partington et al. 1993a, b; Bour-
Zechstein salt was mobilized and, subsequently, oullec et al. 2018, fig. 1).
influenced Triassic depositional patterns in the
Northern and Southern Permian Basin (De Jager Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous climate
2007; De Jager & Geluk 2007). After a period of rel-
ative quiescence and blanketing of the rift structures The Jurassic Period is generally considered as a
by fine-grained sediments during the Early Jurassic greenhouse world, devoid of major glacial episodes
(Wong 2007), the area was affected by a regional (Donnadieu et al. 2011). The start of the Jurassic
uplift phase during the Middle Jurassic, also known might even be considered a super-hothouse, with
as the North Sea Thermal Doming event (Partington extreme high atmospheric CO2 levels as a result of
et al. 1993a; Husmo et al. 2003). This uplift and asso- volcanic outgassing associated with the Central
ciated volcanism was caused by an active mantle Atlantic Magmatic Province (Korte & Hesselbo
plume in the triple junction area (Underhill & Parting- 2011). This generally warm phase, with periodic
ton 1993). During this uplift phase, deposition con- hyper-thermals, persisted until the end of the Early
tinued in small, fault-controlled sub-basins in the Jurassic Epoch (Hettangian, Sinemurian, Pliensba-
Danish Central Graben (Andsbjerg 2003; Mellere chian, Toarcian), with a possible minor cooling dur-
et al. 2016). The second and most intense rift phase ing the late Pliensbachian (Korte & Hesselbo 2011).
took place during the Middle Jurassic–Early Creta- Evidence for cooler climates and possibly even polar
ceous (Surlyk & Ineson 2003; Zanella & Coward ice in the Middle Jurassic Epoch (Aalenian, Bajo-
2003), which is the subject of this study. Rifting cian, Bathonian and Callovian) is widespread (Nunn
activity ceased during the Early Cretaceous (Vejbæk & Price 2010; Dera et al. 2011; Dromart et al. 2003).
et al. 2010); the resultant failed rift consists of three An example of such a cooler phase is found in the
branches that meet in a triple junction, roughly situ- palynological record of the latest Callovian to earli-
ated 200 km east of Aberdeen (Coward et al. 2003). est Oxfordian from the Dutch offshore. Cored sec-
The Central Graben is the southern branch, which tions from the Lower Graben and Friese Front
runs in a southeasterly direction from the triple junc- Formation of wells F03-05-S1, F06-01, F14-05,
tion to the Salt Dome Province in the Danish offshore F17-04 and L05-04 (among others) show relatively
and due south into the German and Dutch sectors. cool and humid climates, reflected in the near-
The Central Graben terminates against the Central absence of the pollen type Classopollis (an indicator
Offshore Platform in Block L05 in the Dutch offshore species for warm-arid conditions; e.g. Abbink 1998;
(Fig. 1). Bonis & Kürschner 2012) and the overall dominance
of Perinopollenites (an indicator species for wet low-
Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous eustasy land habitats; Abbink et al. 2006). Interestingly, the
thick coal occurrences at the base of the succeeding
The Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous sedimentary Middle Graben Formation also occur within this rel-
succession in the Central Graben area is deposited atively cool and wet phase. An important climate
Fig. 2. Age calibration for the stratigraphic framework. The tectonostratigraphic mega-sequences (TMS-1–3) are
aligned with the same numbering as the TNO dinoflagellate cyst zonation. The same colour coding to distinguish the
three TMSs is used in all figures. The Geological Time Scale 2016 is used for the chronostratigraphic calibration
(Ogg et al. 2016).
shift is observed during the Middle Oxfordian when Study area

relatively warmer and drier conditions were estab-
lished (Price & Rogov 2009), reflected by a sudden The area of interest is the southern part of the Middle
decrease in the occurrence of Perinopollenites Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous rift system and is loosely
(Abbink 1998; Abbink et al. 2001). This event is referred to as the Central Graben area (Fig. 1). The
known as the densiplicatum climate event (Abbink study area stretches 250 km from north to south, is
1998), named after the Densiplicatum Chronozone 50 km wide on average, and includes the offshore
it is calibrated to (Fig. 2). The climate changed territories of Denmark, Germany and The Nether-
again during the Early Volgian; this time increas- lands. Three depositional domains are distinguished:
ingly warmer and arid conditions were established, (1) the primary graben axis, which runs from the
reflected by the dominance of Classopollis (Abbink boundary of Norway and Denmark all the
1998). This change is referred to as the scitulus cli- way to its southernmost tip in the L05 Block
mate event by Abbink (1998), after the Scitulus in The Netherlands and includes the Søgne
Chronozone (Fig. 2). From the Scitulus Chronozone Basin, the Tail End Graben, the Salt Dome
onwards, warm and arid conditions persisted Province and the Northern Dutch Central
throughout the rest of the Volgian and across the Graben;
Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary. The Skylge Forma- (2) the basins adjacent to the graben, which
tion, sections of the Farsund Formation (including include the Heno and Gertrud plateaus, the
the Bo Member) as well as the Kimmeridge Clay Feda Graben in Denmark and the Terschelling
Formation were deposited under these warm and Basin in The Netherlands; and
arid climatic conditions. Note that in the Danish (3) the plateau areas which received little or no sed-
and Dutch subsurface, the entire period is character- iments during the Middle Jurassic–Early Creta-
ized by siliciclastic sedimentation; in the UK, car- ceous rift phase, including the Inge and Mads
bonates and evaporites of the Purbeck Formation highs, the Outer Rough Basin, the Step Graben
characterize this arid phase. The warm and arid and the Schill Grund, Central Offshore and
phase came to an end at the beginning of the Early Cleaverbank platforms in The Netherlands.
Cretaceous Ryazanian Stage, reflected by the
decrease of Classopollis concomitant with an Thicknesses of the Middle Jurassic–Lower Creta-
increase of ornamented trilete spores such as Cicatri- ceous sediment succession range from a couple of
cosiporites (Abbink 1998), indicating still warm but metres in the Step Graben (Bouroullec et al. 2018)
much more humid climate conditions. This climate to more than 2000 m in the Danish Tail End Graben
event is referred to as the kochi climate event (Andsbjerg & Dybkjær 2003). The graben axis can
(Abbink 1998). Tropical and wet (humid) conditions be characterized as an en echelon series of sub-basins
were established during the Late Ryazanian and Val- (Japsen et al. 2003) with asymmetric wedge-shaped
anginian, across a large area from the UK to Ger- sediment fills (Møller & Rasmussen 2003). The Dan-
many. This wet phase is reflected in the geological ish part of the graben axis roughly comprises the
record of NW Europe by widespread fluvial and southern tips of the Norwegian/Danish Søgne
coastal sediments, rich in plant fossils (‘Wealden Basin, the Tail End Graben and the Salt Dome Prov-
Facies’, Allen et al. 1998). ince. The Danish Graben axis is bound to the east by
the Ringkøbing-Fyn High. In the Salt Dome Prov-
ince, the Central Graben bends sharply to the SSW
Methodology across the German Entenschnabel into the Dutch
offshore. In the Dutch offshore the graben axis com-
The basin evolution model presented in this paper prises the Dutch Central Graben, which is subdi-
is primarily based on palynological analyses from vided into northern, middle and southern areas.
exploration wells. Over a timespan of 20 years, The Dutch Central Graben is bounded by the Schill
approximately 230 wells were analysed and inter- Grund Platform to the east and the Step Graben
preted in terms of age and palaeoenvironment. From and Cleaverbank Platform to the west. Note that
these 230 wells 32 wells are reported on in this the Step Graben belongs to the plateau domain,
paper, but palynological data are not provided at with only thin Middle Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous
the detailed level of individual samples. A palyno- deposits present. The Dutch Central Graben axis
logical zonation has been erected to facilitate corre- pinches out against the Central Offshore Platform
lations. The zonation is described in the section in the south. Across the Central Offshore Platform,
‘Palynology’ (see also Fig. 2 and Table 1). Seismic the tip of two other Mesozoic basins are visible on
interpretations, utilizing both 2D and 3D seismic the location map (Fig. 1): the Broad Fourteens and
data (Møller & Rasmussen 2003; De Jager 2007; Vlieland basins. These basins have a NW–SE strike
Bouroullec et al. 2018), were also used as supporting and have a shared tectonic history, but do not belong
information. to the Central Graben area as such.
Table 1. TNO zonation based on highest and lowest occurrences (HO and LO) of dinoflagellate cysts. Chronostratigraphy and absolute ages are in accordance with

Ogg et al. (2016)
Zone Subzone Age Definition Remarks
DCZ 1 Bathonian–Early From LO Adnatosphaeridium caulleryi to HO

Kimmeridgian Limbodinium ridingii
168–154.7 Ma
DCSZ 1A Bathonian–Callovian From FO Adnatosphaeridium caulleryi to HO FO Adnatosphaeridium caulleryi is calibrated to the
168–163.5 Ma Durotrigia filapilicata, Pareodinia prolangata Zigzag Chronozone (1); HO Durotrigia filapicata,
and Lithodinia jurassica Pareodinia prolongata and Lithodinia jurassica are
calibrated to the Lamberti Chronozone (2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8)
DCSZ 1B Early Oxfordian From HO Durotrigia filapicata, Pareodininia HO Wanaea spp. is calibrated to the Cordatum
163.5–161 Ma prolongata and Lithodinia jurassica to HO Chronozone (8); HO common of Rigaudella aemula
Wanaea spp. and HO common Rigaudella aemula is calibrated to the Cordatum Chronozone (7)
DCSZ 1C Middle Oxfordian From to HO Wanaea spp. and HO common HO Trichodinium scarburghensis is calibrated to the
161–159.8 Ma Rigaudella aemula to HO Trichodinium Plicatilis Chronozone; HO Rigaudella aemula is
scarburghensis and Rigaudella aemula calibrated to the Pumilus Chronozone (1, 9, 10).
Note that the densiplicatum Climate Shift occurs in
DCSZ 1C (11, 29, 30).
DCSZ 1D Late Oxfordian From HO Trichodinium scarburghensis and HO abundant Rhynchodiniopsis cladophora and HO
159.8–157.5 Ma Rigaudella aemula to HO abundant Stephanelytron redcliffense are in the Pseudocordata
Rhynchodiniopsis cladophora Chronozone (7, 9, 12). HO Compositosphaeridium
polonicum is in the Cautisnigrae Chronozone (13).
DCSZ 1E Early Kimmeridgian From HO abundant Rhynchodiniopsis cladophore to HO Limbodinium ridingii is calibrated to the
157.5–154.7 Ma HO Limbodinium ridingii or HO Scriniodinium Cymodoce Chronozone (8). HO Scriniodinium
crystallinum crystallinum is calibrated to the Baylei Chronozone
(1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 14, 15).
DCZ 2 Late Kimmeridigian–Middle From HO Limbodinium ridingii or HO
Volgian Scriniodinium crystallinum to HO Glossodinium
154.7–146.6 Ma dimorphum, Senoniasphaera jurassica and
Dichadogonyaulax pannaea
DCSZ 2A Late Kimmeridgian From HO Limbodinium ridingii or HO HO Endoscrinium luridum is calibrated to the
154.5–152.2 Ma Scriniodinium crystallinum to HO Endoscrinium Autissiodorensis Chronozone (1, 9, 15, 16). FO
luridum Dichadogonyaulax pannea and Corculodinium
inaffectum is calibrated to the Mutabilis Chronozone
(23, 15, 16, 17, 19).
DCSZ 2B Early Volgian From HO Endoscrinium luridum to HO HO Oligosphaeridium patulum is calibrated to the
152.2–149.8 Ma Oligosphaeridium patulum Pectinatus Chronozone (15, 20, 21). HO abundant

Oligosphaeridium patulum is calibrated to the
Hudlestoni Chronozone (9, 19, 21). LO
Gochteodinia mutabilis and Cribroperidinium
hansenii are calibrated to the Scitulus Chronzone
(1, 2, 9, 23). HO of Corculodinium inaffectum and
Corculodinium paeminosum are calibrated to the
Wheatleyensis Chronozone (19). Note that the
scitulus Climate Shift occurs in DCSZ 2B (11, 29,
30).
DCSZ 2C Middle Volgian (p.p.) From HO Oligosphaeridium patulum to HO HO Occisucysta balios is calibrated to the Fittoni
149.8–148 Ma Occisucysta balios Chronozone (2, 23 24)
DCSZ 2D Middle Volgian (p.p.) From HO Occisucysta balios to the HO HO Glossodinium dimorphum, Senoniasphaera

148–146.6 Ma Glossodinium dimorphum, Senoniasphaera jurassica and Dichadogonyaulax pannaea are
jurassica and Dichadogonyaulax pannaea calibrated to the Anguiformis Chronozone (2, 9, 15,
19, 21, 22). HO Scriniodinium inritibile is calibrated
to the Albani Chronozone (2, 15, 16).
DCZ 3 Late Volgian–Late Ryazanian From HO Glossodinium dimorphum,
146.6–139 Ma Senoniasphaera jurassica and Dichadogonyaulax
pannaea to HO Dingodinium spinosum
DCSZ 3A Late Volgian (p.p.) From HO Glossodinium dimorphum, HO abundant Cribroperidinium hansenii is calibrated
147–146 Ma Senoniasphaera jurassica and Dichadogonyaulax to the Primitivus Chronozone (8, 25). HO
pannaea to HO abundant Cribroperidinium Egmontodinium polyplacophorum is calibrated to the
hansenii Opressus or Primitivus Chronozone (2, 8, 9).
DCSZ 3B Late Volgian (p.p.)–Early From HO abundant Cribroperidinium hansenii to HO Rotosphaeropsis thula and Systematophora daveyi
Ryazanian HO Rotosphaeropsis thula and Systematophora are calibrated to the Kochi Chronozone (8, 15, 25,
146–141 Ma daveyi 26, 27). HO Gochteodinia virgula and
Egmontodinium expiratum are calibrated to the
Runctoni Chronozone (2, 8, 9, 25). Note that the
kochi Climate Shift occurs in DCSZ 3B (11, 29, 30).
DCSZ 3C Late Ryazanian From HO Rotosphaeropsis thula and HO Dingodinium spinosum and Egmontodinium
141–139.5 Ma Systematophora daveyi to HO Dingodinium torynum are calibrated to the Albidum Chronozone
spinosum and Egmontodinium torynum (8, 9, 22, 28, 27). LO Oligosphaeridium diluculum is
calibrated to the Icenii Chronozone Ammonite Zone
(2, 9). HO common Oligosphaeridium diluculum
and HO of Daveya boresphaera are calibrated to the
Stenomphalus Chronozone (8, 22, 25, 32).
DCZ 4 Valanginian–Early Barremian From HO Dingodinium spinosum and
139.5–129 Ma Egmontodinium torynum to HO of
Kleithriasphaeridium corrugatum
(Continued)
Table 1. TNO zonation based on highest and lowest occurrences (HO and LO) of dinoflagellate cysts. Chronostratigraphy and absolute ages are in accordance with
Ogg et al. (2016) (Continued )
Zone Subzone Age Definition Remarks
DCSZ 4A Early Valanginian (p.p.) From HO Dingodinium spinosum and HO Tehamadium daveyi and HO Endoscrinium pharo
139.5–139 Ma Egmontodinium torynum to HO of Tehamadium are calibrated to the Paratollia Chronozone (22, 15,
daveyi 25, 27)
DCSZ 4B Early Valanginian (p.p.) From HO of Tehamadium daveyi to HO HO Systematophora palmula is calibrated to the
139–138.5 Ma Systematophora palmula Poyptychites Chronozone (22, 27)
DCSZ 4C Early (pars.) Valanginian–Late From to HO Systematophora palmula to HO HO Lagenorthytis delicatula is calibrated to the
Valanginian Lagenorthytis delicatula Amblygonium Chronozone (27, 31). LO
138.5–134.5 Ma Nelchinopsis kostromiensis is calibrated to the
Dichotomites Chronozone (27).
DCSZ 4D Early Hauterivian–Late From HO Lagenorthytis delicatula to HO Canningia HO Canningia cf. reticulata is calibrated to the base
Hauterivian (p.p.) cf. reticulata Variabilis Chronozone (22, 27, 28,31). HO
134.5–131.5 Ma Batioladinium varigranosum is calibrated to the
Noricum Chronozone (27). LO Subtilisphaera
perlucida is calibrated to the Speetonense
Chronozone (27). LO Cribroperidinium confossum is
calibrated to the Gottschei Chronozone (28, 33, 34).
DCSZ 4E Late Hauterivian (p.p.) From HO Canningia cf. reticulata to HO HO Nelchinopsis kostromiensis and Cribroperidinium
131.5–131 Ma Nelchinopsis kostromiensis confossum are calibrated to the Variabilis
Chronozone (28, 33, 34, 35).
DCSZ 4F Early Barremian From HO Nelchinopsis kostromiensis to the HO HO Kleithriasphaeridium corrugatum and Muderongia
131–129 Ma Kleithriasphaeridium corrugatum simplex are calibrated to the Elegans Chronozone
(28, 35, 37). LO Odontochitina operculate is
calibrated to the Rarocinctum Chronozone (27).
References: (1) Riding & Thomas (1992); (2) Riding (1987); (3) Prauss (1989); (4) Riding & Bailey (1991); (5) Feist-Burkhardt & Wille (1992); (6) Woollam (1980); (7) Riley & Fenton (1982); (8) Herngreen
et al. (2000); (9) Partington et al. (1993b); (10) Fauconnier (1995); (11) Abbink (1998); (12) Kunz (1990); (13) Poulsen (1998); (14) Århus et al. (1989); (15) Poulsen (1996); (16) Poulsen (1994); (17)
Nøhr-Hansen (1986); (18) Ioannides et al. (1988); (19) Riding & Thomas (1988); (20) Riley (1979); (21) Bailey et al. (1997); (22) Davey (1979a; b); (23) Barron (1989); (24) Munsterman et al. (2012);
(25) Davey (1982a; b); (26) Riding & Davey (1989); (27) Costa & Davey (1992); (28) Duxbury (1977); (29) Abbink et al. (2001); (30) Abbink et al. (2006); (31) Heilmann-Clausen & Birkelund (1987);
(32) Birkelund et al. (1983); (33) Harding (1990); (34) Kirsch & Below (1995); (35) Duxbury (2001); (36) Mutterlose & Harding (1987); (37) Duxbury (1980); and (38) Heilmann-Clausen & Thomsen (1995).
Attached to the graben axis are several other setting, palynology is a useful tool for age assess-
basins with relatively thick (100–1000 m) Middle ment and palaeoenvironmental interpretation; it pro-
Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous deposits. These basins vides information from both the marine realm, via
are generally connected to the graben axis on one the occurrences of dinoflagellate cysts, and the ter-
side and are typically bound by straight and up to restrial realm, via the occurrences of pollen and
50 km long faults (Fig. 1). In the Danish offshore, spores (Abbink 1998). However, palaeoenviron-
west of the Tail End Graben these basins consist of mental interpretations based on palynology reflect
a series of NW–SE-trending plateaus and half- generally supra-local to regional conditions and
grabens. The basins are connected to the graben are not directly comparable to sedimentology-based
axis to the east and bounded by the Mads and Inge interpretations, as these mainly reflect local condi-
highs and by the Outer Rough Basin to the SW. tions (Fig. 3).
The Outer Rough Basin crosses the German Dinoflagellates exhibit a planktonic lifestyle and
Entenschnabel onto the A and B blocks in the only the organic-walled cysts end up in the sedimen-
Dutch offshore and contains relatively thin (less tary record. Dinoflagellate cyst occurrences are not
than 100 m) Middle Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous suc- specifically related to palaeo-water depth, but may
cessions. In the Dutch offshore, east of the southern provide information on sea-surface temperature, pro-
Dutch Central Graben, the Terschelling Basin is ductivity and salinity (Sluijs et al. 2005). As a rule of
separated from the graben axis by a salt-filled fault. thumb, high diversity and low dominance indicates
The Terschelling Basin thickens towards the graben open-marine shelf environments, while low diversity
axis and is confined by NW–SE-trending fault and high dominance indicates restricted, usually
zones (Fig. 1). marginal, marine conditions (Jansonius & McGregor
1996). Pollen and spore assemblages reflect the
regional vegetation from land and, as such, provide
information on the palaeo-climate (Abbink et al.
Palynology
2001). As a rule of thumb, the ratio between the
Palynological processing marine dinoflagellate cysts and terrestrial pollen
and spores indicates the relative distance from
The large number of samples (estimated to exceed shore (Donders et al. 2009). Hydrodynamic energy
6000) was processed in different laboratories, but may be reflected in the amount of physical degrada-
always according to standard palynological process- tion of the organic constituents of the palynological
ing procedures. The standard processing routine assemblages; very small fragments point to high-
includes treatment with hydrochloric acid to digest energy conditions and intact specimens indicate low-
the carbonate and hydrofluoric acid, in order to energy conditions (Traverse 2007).
destroy the silicate mineral bonds and release the
acid-resistant organic matter. The organic matter is Age calibration
isolated by heavy liquid separation and concentrated
by sieving. The remaining organic residue is The Late Jurassic and the succeeding Early Creta-
mounted on glass slides for microscopic analysis. ceous periods are relatively poorly constrained in a
global chronostratigraphic sense. For example,
Palaeoenvironmental interpretation there are no global boundary stratotype section and
points (GSSPs) for the base of the Callovian,
based on palynology Oxfordian, Kimmeridgian, Berriasian and Valangi-
Apart from dolomite stringers in the Farsund and nian (Wimbledon et al. 2011; Ogg et al. 2016). Fur-
Kimmeridge Clay Formation, the Middle Jurassic– thermore, the Late Jurassic is characterized by strong
Lower Cretaceous sedimentary succession of the provincialism, in particular with respect to the distri-
Central Graben area is dominated by siliciclastic bution of ammonites (Gradstein et al. 2012). This
sediments (Van Adrichem Boogaert & Kouwe hampers the application of international standards
1993; Andsbjerg & Dybkjær 2003; Lott et al. to the sedimentary successions from the North Sea.
2010). The depositional environments are known Boreal chronostratigraphic schemes are generally
to exhibit strong variation over relatively short dis- applied in North Sea geology, in particular the Rus-
tances, due to the active tectonic setting and the rel- sian stages: Kimmeridgian, Volgian and Ryazanian
atively complex basin configuration (Johannessen (e.g. Fraser et al. 2003). For that reason, reference
et al. 2010a; Munsterman et al. 2012). The Dutch to Russian chronostratigraphy and to the Sub-Boreal
part of the study area is characterized by marine to Ammonite Zones is made in this paper (Fig. 2). For
non-marine deposits (Abbink et al. 2006; Bouroul- practical reasons, the target interval of this paper is
lec et al. 2018), while the Danish part, in particular loosely referred to as Middle Jurassic–Early Creta-
the graben axis, is dominated by deep-marine ceous although, strictly speaking, this should be
deposits (Andsbjerg & Dybkjær 2003). In such a late Middle Jurassic–early Early Cretaceous.
Fig. 3. Schematic overview of depositional environments occurring in the terrestrial and marine realm which are mentioned in the text. These environments form the bulk of the
environments that occur in the Middle Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous in the Central Graben area. Note that palaeoenvironmental interpretations based on palynology generally reflect
sub-regional to regional conditions, whereas palaeoenvironmental interpretations derived from sedimentology reflect local conditions.
Note that in Ogg et al. (2016) the absolute age TMS-1 to TMS-3 combined comprise the Middle
spans of chronozones vary. For example, the Early Jurassic–Early Cretaceous rift phase. Within these
Ryazanian Runctoni Chronozone plus the Late Vol- three mega-sequences, nine lower order units of
gian Lamplughi and Preplicomphalus chronozones genetically related sedimentary accumulations are
together represent 4 Ma, whereas the seven chrono- recognized (Figs 8–15). These are referred to as tec-
zones below the Preplicomphalus represent less tonostratigraphic sequences (TS). TMS-4 represents
than 2 Ma. Based on our own observations, the a post-rift phase when subsidence was no longer lim-
marked difference in absolute age span between the ited to the graben area, reflected by a large-scale
Runctoni–Preplicomphalus and Primitivus–Albani regional transgression (Copestake et al. 2003). Note
chronozones is questioned. that the basin evolution of the narrow Entenschnabel
sector of the German offshore (Fig. 1) is integrated
Palynological zonation into the model but treated less exhaustively, since
published subsurface data from the German offshore
Based on palynological analyses from exploration are scarce.
wells in the Danish and Dutch offshore, a regional
dinoflagellate cyst zonation for the Middle Callo-
vian–Barremian is established (Table 1, see also Fig. 2). TMS-1 (168–154.7 Ma)
The zonation includes 4 zones and 18 subzones. During the entire timespan of TMS-1 (Bathonian–
The dinoflagellate cyst zones (DCZ) and sub- Early Kimmeridgian) only the graben axis is sub-
zones (DCSZ) are predominantly based on top occur- jected to major subsidence. Sediments of this age
rences of taxa, to accommodate for use in industry. are rarely encountered away from the graben axis
For practical reasons, the numbering of the indepen- in the study area (Fig. 4).
dently calibrated dinoflagellate zones has been The first synrift deposits are fluvio-deltaic sedi-
synchronized with the numbering of the tectonostra- ments of the Bryne Formation (Aalenian–Bajocian
tigraphic mega-sequences (Fig. 2). The international age), which are found in the Danish Søgne Basin
geological timescale of Ogg et al. (2016) is used for and Tail End Graben (Andsbjerg 2003; Andsbjerg
chronostratigraphic calibration. & Dybkjær 2003; Mellere et al. 2016). Towards
the end of the Callovian, the entire graben axis
was affected by subsidence. In the succeeding
Results Oxfordian, subsidence related to rifting reached its
Based on palynological analyses and observations maximum. Deposition within the graben axis was
from seismic and sedimentological analyses, the then dominated by mudstones of the Lola and Mid-
basin development of the Middle Jurassic–Lower dle Graben formations (Fig. 5). In the Danish Gra-
Cretaceous from the Central Graben areas of Den- ben axis (Søgne Basin, Tail End Graben, Salt
mark, Germany and The Netherlands is demonstrated Dome Province), the depocentres are situated close
in detail. The basin evolution is seen to follow dis- to the Coffee Soil Fault, emphasizing the asymmet-
crete phases with active depocentres and fault pat- ric style of deformation within this area (Fig. 1). In
terns changing through time (Fig. 4). These discrete the Dutch Central Graben axis, the structural style is
phases in basin evolution are reflected in the sedimen- different since the bounding faults are often overlain
tary record as genetically related accumulations of by remobilized Zechstein salt (e.g. Pharaoh et al.
sediments (Figs 5–7). Four main phases in the basin 2010; Bouroullec et al. 2018). Because of salt with-
evolution are distinguished, which are named tecto- drawal, onlaps or truncations along the graben
nostratigraphic mega-sequences (TMS) and subordi- margins are predominant in the Dutch Central Gra-
nate sequences (Fig. 4). The TMS are numbered 1–4, ben (Bouroullec et al. 2018, figs 6–13). In the north-
from old to young: ern part of the Dutch Central Graben a total
depositional thickness of 1500 m is observed for
• TMS-1: Bathonian–Early Kimmeridgian (168– TMS-1 (F03 block), while in the southern part of
154.7 Ma) subsidence in the graben axis related the Dutch Central Graben thicknesses are limited
to east–west extension; to approximately 200 m (L05 block). This thinner
• TMS-2: Late Kimmeridgian–Late Volgian succession is partially due to later erosion, but
(154.7–146.6 Ma) subsidence, primarily affecting also related to lower initial accommodation. The
the basins adjacent to the graben axis, related to thickness variation is accompanied by noticeable
NW–SE extension; sedimentary facies changes. The southern Dutch
• TMS-3: latest Volgian–Ryazanian (146.6– Central Graben (F17, L02 and L05 Blocks) is char-
139 Ma) cessation of fault activity and spreading acterized by predominantly non-marine, fluvial
of subsidence to the adjacent plateaus; and deposits of the Friese Front Formation (Figs 5–7),
• TMS-4: Valanginian–Barremian (139–126 Ma) while the northern Dutch Central Graben (B18,
regional subsidence. F03, F05 and F06) displays a succession from
Fig. 4. Schematic representation of the stepwise basin evolution discussed in the text. The vertical bars represent the
relative amount of basin subsidence (black) for the different structural domains. The relative amounts of subsidence
are estimated from the thicknesses of the sedimentary succession. Timescale after (Ogg et al. 2016).
non-marine to marginal-marine sediments (Lower sediments at the top of TMS-1 (Kimmeridge Clay
Graben, Middle Graben and Upper Graben forma- Formation). Based on these observations a step-
tions; Bouroullec et al. 2018) to open-marine wise, or gradual topographic gradient related to
Fig. 5. Wheeler diagram along a N–S transect through the axis of the Central Graben. The diagram displays the generalized time and facies relationships of the Middle Jurassic–
Lower Cretaceous lithostratigraphic units. See Figure 1 for location of the panel.
Fig. 6. Wheeler diagram along a W–E transect through the Danish basins. The diagram displays the generalized time and facies relationships of the Middle Jurassic–Lower
Cretaceous lithostratigraphic units. See Figure 1 for location of the panel.
Fig. 7. Wheeler diagram along a W–E transect through the Dutch Terschelling Basin. The diagram displays the generalized time and facies relationships of the Middle Jurassic–
Lower Cretaceous lithostratigraphic units. See Figure 1 for location of the panel.
Fig. 8. Age reference for the Dutch Lower Graben, Middle Graben, Upper Graben, Kimmeridge Clay, Scruff
Greensand and Lutine formations. Well F03-05-S1 is located in the northern part of the Dutch Central Graben. The
wireline log on the left is the gamma ray (GR) and the log on the right is the sonic (DT). See Figure 1 for location
and Figure 2 for abbreviations of palynological events.
Fig. 9. Age reference for the Dutch Lower Graben, Middle Graben and Puzzle Hole formations. Well F11-01 is
located in the middle part of the Dutch Central Graben. Wireline logs as for Figure 8. See Figure 1 for location and
Figure 2 for abbreviations of palynological events.
Fig. 10. Age reference for the Danish Heno, Lola and Farsund formations. Well Karl-1 is located in the Danish
basins adjacent to the Central Graben axis. Wireline logs as for Figure 8. See Figure 1 for location and Figure 2 for
abbreviations of palynological events.
differences in subsidence, is proposed to have Husmo et al. 2003) filling up the graben along its
existed from south to north. axis. For example, during the Aalenian–Bathonian,
During TMS-1, basin infill occurred from multi- the Danish–Norwegian Søgne Basin was occupied
ple directions. There is no single, large-scale pro- by a tidally influenced delta system from the NE,
grading delta system such as the Brent Delta (sensu but the drainage pattern was reversed in the
Fig. 11. Age reference for the Dutch Friese Front, Skylge and Scruff Greensand formations. Well L06-03 is located
in the Dutch Terschelling Basin, adjacent to the Central Graben axis. Wireline logs as for Figure 8. See Figure 1 for
location and Figure 2 for abbreviations of palynological events.
Fig. 12. Age reference for the Danish ‘Outer Rough Sand’ and the Bo Member of the Farsund Formation. Well
Saxo-1 is located in the Danish Outer Rough Basin. The wireline log is the gamma ray (GR). See Figure 1 for
location and Figure 2 for abbreviations of palynological events.
Callovian (Bryne–Sandnes Formation, Mellere et al. that most of the Bryne Formation can be attributed
2016). In the Dutch Central Graben, evidence of lat- to the Bathonian. TS-1.1 represents the oldest part
eral sediment input is demonstrated by the occur- of the Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous rift phase
rence of distributary channels and bird foot deltas and expresses the rift initiation. TS-1.1 is limited in
on the margin of the Dutch Central Graben, identi- occurrence to the Danish Graben area where it is pre-
fied on 3D seismic data from the Oxfordian Middle sent in the Søgne Basin, the Tail End Graben and in
and Upper Graben formations (Bouroullec et al. the Salt Dome Province. TS-1.1 may possibly extend
2018, figs 15, 16). into the German sector, but no published information
is available to corroborate this. In the Dutch Central
TS-1.1. Initiation of rifting. Opening of the Søgne Graben, sediments older than Middle Callovian and
Basin, Tail End Graben and Salt Dome Province. younger than Aalenian have not been observed (Van
Lithostratigraphy: Denmark: Bryne Formation. Adrichem Boogaert & Kouwe 1993; Munsterman
The Netherlands: No deposition. et al. 2012; Bouroullec et al. 2018). This implies
Age: Bathonian–Early Callovian (168–165 Ma; that, during the whole of TS-1.1, subsidence was
Fig. 2). limited to the Danish Graben.
The oldest sediments that can be attributed to the The Bryne Formation consists of fluvio-deltaic–
TMS-1 are Aalenian or earliest Bajocian sediments estuarine deposits (Andsbjerg 2003) and is associ-
from the Bryne Formation (Andsbjerg 2003; Andsb- ated with a clay-rich, tidally influenced delta system
jerg & Dybkjær 2003; Mellere et al. 2016; see also that prograded SSE into the Søgne Basin (Mellere
Figs 4–6), although Husmo et al. (2003) suggest et al. 2016). The Bryne Formation is in part
Fig. 13. Age reference for the Dutch Kimmeridge Clay Formation and for the Noordvaarder Member of the Skylge
Formation. Well B14-02 is located near the margin of the northern part of the Dutch Central Graben axis. Wireline
logs as for Figure 8. See Figure 1 for location and Figure 2 for abbreviations of palynological events.
Fig. 14. Age reference for the Danish Farsund Formation and its Bo Member. Well Lone-1 is located in the Danish
basins adjacent to the Central Graben axis. Wireline logs as for Figure 8. See Figure 1 for location and Figure 2 for
the abbreviations of the palynological events.
Fig. 15. Panel displaying the facies change of TMS-3 occurring from the Danish offshore to the Dutch offshore. Wireline logs as for Figure 8. The coloured dashed lines
correlate the trends of the GR curves from well to well. The log correlations are underpinned by palynological events, indicated on the panel by coloured stars. The tight
correlation clearly shows the gradual transition from the glauconitic sandstones of the Scruff Greensand Formation (wells B18-02 and B18-03) in the Dutch offshore to the high
gamma-ray, organic-rich mudstones of the Bo Member (Gert-2, Bo-1, Edna-1) in the Danish offshore. See Figure 1 for location of the wells.
equivalent to the coal-bearing non-marine Pentland Danish/Norwegian Søgne Basin TS-1.2 is largely
Formation in the UK sector (Fraser et al. 2003). represented by the Sandnes Formation, a sand-prone,
The Bryne Formation is difficult to date since marine outbuilding series of tidally influenced deltas
microfossils, such as dinoflagellate cysts, are lacking (Mellere et al. 2016).
or very rarely found. In addition, the fluvial and estu- In the northern part of the Dutch Central Graben,
arine deposits of the succeeding depositional TS-1.2 is represented by the Lower Graben Forma-
sequence TS-1.2 are similar to the fluvial deposits tion (Figs 8, 9). The basal part of the Lower Graben
of TS-1.1. As such, it is challenging to determine Formation is non-marine fluvial (Van Adrichem
the exact timing of the rift initiation and to correlate Boogaert & Kouwe 1993; Munsterman et al. 2012;
TS-1.1 across large distances and determine its exact Bouroullec et al. 2018). The Lower Graben Forma-
geographic distribution. Unlike the succeeding tion become more marine towards the top, which is
TS-1.2 sequence, active faulting appears to be lack- sand-rich and interpreted as tidal shoals and tidal
ing or is minimal at during this period. The average channels by Bouroullec et al. (2018). In the south-
thickness observed for TS-1.1 is 100 m; the maxi- ernmost tip of the southern part of the Dutch Central
mum thickness attained in well penetration is 220 Graben, where the Middle Jurassic–Lower Creta-
m in West Lulu-1 (Andsbjerg 2003; Andsbjerg & ceous sequence pinches out, only the marine flood-
Dybkjær 2003). ing surface near the top of TS-1.2 is preserved in
the sedimentary record, indicating low accommoda-
TS-1.2. Increasing rift activity. Shoreface complex tion near the hinge of the graben (Fig. 5). This thin,
development in adjacent Danish basins. Opening of shallow-marine sandstone interval is the Rifgronden
the Dutch Central Graben. Member of the Friese Front Formation.
Lithostratigraphy: Denmark: Lulu Formation In the northern part of the Dutch Central Graben,
and the top of the Bryne Formation. The Nether- truncation of TS-1.2 occurs locally along the basin
lands: Lower Graben Formation and part of the Rif- margin (Bouroullec et al. 2018). Truncation is
gronden Member of the Friese Front Formation. caused by increased axial subsidence related to the
Age: Early or Middle Callovian to Late Callovian loading on Zechstein salt underneath. In the Danish
(165–163.5 Ma; Figs 2, 8, 9). sector, basin development is controlled by faulting
In contrast to TS-1.1, TS-1.2 is present in the (Møller & Rasmussen 2003).
entire graben axis from Denmark to The Netherlands
and, as such, reflects the southwards propagation of TS-1.3. Rift climax and east–west-oriented extension
the Middle Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous rift. At the phase.
time of deposition, active faulting occurred along Lithostratigraphy: Denmark: Middle Graben and
the graben margins. The Central Graben rift system the Lola Formation. The Netherlands: Middle Gra-
reached its southernmost tip at the border of the Cen- ben, Upper Graben, Friese Front formations, Kim-
tral Offshore Platform, offshore The Netherlands meridge Clay and the Puzzle Hole Formation.
Blocks L05 and L06 (Fig. 1). Seismic sections Age: Oxfordian–Early Kimmeridgian (163.5–
from the Tail End Graben in Denmark indicate the 154.7 Ma; Figs 2, 8, 9).
presence of a small angular unconformity between Characteristic of both the Danish and Dutch
TS-1.1 and TS-1.2 (Middle Jurassic unconformity Central Graben is the transition from sandstone-
in Figs 5, 6) (Møller & Rasmussen 2003). This dominated successions of TS-1.2 to mudstone-
unconformity likely correlates to the erosive base dominated successions of TS-1.3. An important
of fluvial and estuarine sandstones near the top of difference between the Danish and the Dutch Central
the Bryne Formation (Andsbjerg & Dybkjær 2003; Graben is the amount of marine influence. Marine
Mellere et al. 2016). In the Dutch Central Graben, conditions prevailed in the Søgne Basin, Tail End
TS-1.2 consists mostly of fluvial sandstones, over- Graben and Salt Dome Province, while in the
bank claystones and thin coal layers indicating Dutch Central Graben marine influence remained
swamp environments, but towards the top the unit weak and was limited to specific horizons, based
becomes sandier and marine and tidal influence on the occasional occurrences of dinoflagellate
becomes prominent (Bouroullec et al. 2018, fig. 3). cysts in the otherwise pollen- and spore-dominated
In well F03-05-S1 (Fig. 8) and F06-01 (Bouroullec Middle Graben Formation. In addition, three distinct
et al. 2018), TS-1.2 reaches an overall thickness of and regionally extensive coal layers occur at the base
500 m with a distinct marine shoreface sandstone of the TS-1.3 in the Middle Dutch Central Graben
at the top (Fig. 16; Bouroullec et al. 2018, fig. 3). (Figs 5, 8, 9, 16; Bouroullec et al. 2018, figs 3, 9,
In the Tail End Graben and Salt Dome Province, 11, 13, 16). The coal layers are up to 3 m thick and
TS-1.2 shows more facies variation (Fig. 5; see can be correlated across large distances. The lateral
also Andsbjerg & Dybkjær 2003). The base is usu- continuity of the coal layers indicates sediment star-
ally terrestrial, but marine influence is more promi- vation and a relatively flat basin-floor topography.
nent than in the Dutch Central Graben. In the The sudden lack of sediment supply is notable,
Fig. 16. N–S correlation panel (corresponding to the Wheeler diagram shown in Fig. 5) along the Central Graben axis, from the Danish offshore in the north to the Dutch
offshore in the south. Wireline logs as for Figure 8. TMS-1 to TMS-3 are indicated in colour shading. SGF: Scruff Greensand Formation; MGF: Middle Graben Formation. See
Figure 1 for location of the wells.
considering the abundant tidal and shoreface sand- TMS-2 (154.7–146.6 Ma)
stones in the underlying TS-1.2 and the narrow
(20 km wide) basin configuration during this period. During this phase, the basins and plateau areas adja-
Apparently, the area became starved from any cent to the graben axis, such as the Heno Plateau,
sources of sand for a prolonged period of time, sug- Gertrud Plateau and the Terschelling Basin, became
gesting that the regional transgression at the top of active and depocentres shifted away from the graben
TS-1.2 flooded the graben shoulders and forced the axis to its margins. TMS-2 is characterized by active
deposition of marginal-marine sands onto the adja- faulting and salt movement.
cent plateau areas and away from the graben axis. From the Early to the Late Kimmeridgian, an
These sands were likely eroded shortly afterwards, important change in the tectonic regime occur-
as no Early–Late Oxfordian sandstones are present red with a change in extension direction from east–-
on these bordering plateaus. However, supportive west to SW–NE (Zanella & Coward 2003). As a
evidence for a marine transgression on the adjacent result, Paleozoic NW–SE-trending faults were reac-
plateaus is present in so-called ‘caprock’ sequences. tivated and new faults appeared. The adjacent basins
These are heterolithic complexes consisting of anhy- started to subside and large amounts of sediments
drite, breccia, sandstone and shale, together making were deposited. In the Danish Graben axis, the depo-
up the crests of salt diapirs. In the Jurassic, the Schill centres move away from the Coffee Soil Fault hang-
Grund Platform (Fig. 1) was perforated by a number ing wall to the southwestern side of the graben axis
of salt diapirs. Palynofloras occurring in the basal and to the adjacent Danish basins (Gertrud Plateau,
part of these heterolithics indicate a latest Callovian Gert Ridge and Heno Plateau) which started to
to earliest Oxfordian age and a marine depositional subside and eventually became inundated (Fig. 17;
setting. This suggests that these diapirs have been 500–1000 m of TMS-2 sediments). These succes-
flooded, partly dissolved and collapsed and filled in sions comprise the shallow-marine sandstones of
with sediments during the latest Callovian–earliest the Heno Formation, overlain by open-marine mud-
Oxfordian. stones of the Farsund Formation.
The Middle Graben Formation is predominantly In the Danish Graben axis, in the Søgne Basin
non-marine, as indicated by the general lack of and Tail End Graben, gravity-flow sandstones inter-
marine palynomorphs. Marine palynomorphs are calate with offshore mudstones from the Farsund
only encountered in specific intervals, associated Formation. In the Dutch Graben axis, much of the
with maximum flooding surfaces. An estuarine palae- geological record from this time period is not pre-
oenvironment with occasional open-marine influence served due to later erosion as a result of a Late Cre-
is inferred, probably an embayment with poor con- taceous inversion phase (Van Adrichem Boogaert &
nection to the open sea (Fig. 3). Kouwe 1993; De Jager 2007).
Two sandstone units, the Middle Graben Sand- In the northern part of the Dutch Central Graben,
stone Member and the Upper Graben Forma- mudstone deposition from the Kimmeridge Clay
tion (Fig. 8), were deposited during TS-1.3 in the Formation continues without any visible change in
northern Dutch Central Graben. Both are reservoir lithology from TMS-1 to TMS-2 (Fig. 8). A transi-
levels that form the main producing units in the tional area is observed in the eastern part of the
Dutch offshore F03-FB gas-condensate field (Lott southern Dutch Central Graben, from non-marine
et al. 2010). The Upper Graben Sandstone For- in the western part of the graben to shallow-marine
mation is interpreted as a prograding delta front, in the Terschelling Basin (Fig. 7). The newly devel-
based on the coarsening upwards trend of the sed- oped Terschelling Basin was subsiding more rapidly
iments (Van Adrichem Boogaert & Kouwe 1993). than the southern part of the Dutch Central Graben.
Bouroullec et al. (2018) demonstrate that small The average thickness of TMS-2 in the Terschelling
bird-foot deltas are also present along the eastern Basin is 350 m, with a maximum of 800 m in well
margin of the graben within the Upper Graben L03-01 (Fig. 18). Towards the end of TMS-2, during
Formation. the Middle Volgian, large parts of the Dutch Central
In the middle part of the Dutch Central Graben, Graben became subjected to erosion. A conformable
a delta-plain environment with sandstones, coals contact between TMS-2 and TMS-3 is only observed
and mudstones developed from the Middle Oxford- in the Terschelling Basin. In the northern part of the
ian onwards. These deposits are part of the Puzzle Dutch Central Graben many wells, such as well
Hole Formation (Figs 5, 9). F03-05-S1, display a hiatus below the base of
In the Danish sector, marine mudstones of TMS-3 (Fig. 8). The erosion in the graben axis of
TS-1.3 are found in the Søgne Basin, Tail End Gra- the Dutch Central Graben is related to salt move-
ben and the Salt Dome Province. The maximum ment. Salt migrated from beneath the axial zone
thickness is attained in the Tail End Graben, but towards the lateral margins of the rift basin, which
many wells do not reach the Lower Kimmeridgian triggered tilt and erosion in the basin axis (Bouroul-
Lola Formation. lec et al. 2018; Figs 9, 12, 13). In the southern part of
Fig. 17. W–E correlation panel (corresponding to the Wheeler diagram shown in Fig. 6) perpendicular to the Central Graben axis in the Danish offshore. Wireline logs as for
Figure 8. TMS-1 to TMS-3 are indicated in colour shading. See Figure 1 for location of the wells.
Fig. 18. W–E correlation panel (corresponding to the Wheeler diagram shown in Fig. 6) perpendicular to the Central Graben axis in the Dutch offshore Terschelling Basin.
Wireline logs as for Figure 9. TMS-1 to TMS-3 are indicated in colour shading. See Figure 1 for location of the wells.
the Dutch Central Graben, evidence for intra-Middle Lithostratigraphy: Denmark: Farsund formation.
Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous erosion is found in wells The Netherlands: Kimmeridge Clay Formation and
L05-03, L05-04 and F17-04 (Figs 7 and 18), where the upper part of the Friese Front Formation.
TMS-1 lies directly underneath TMS-3 or TMS-4. Age: Late Kimmeridgian (Eudoxus and Autis-
Widespread erosion could also explain the sand- siodorensis Chronozones, 153.5–152 Ma; Figs 2,
prone Noordvaarder Member in well B13-02 and 8–11, 13).
B14-02 (Fig. 13; see also Bouroullec et al. 2018, In the Danish peripheral basins such as the
figs 12, 13). Heno and Gertrud plateaus the base of TS-2.2 is a
regionally traceable flooding event, reflected by the
TS-2.1. Change of extension trend from east–west transition from shoreface sandstones of the Heno
to NE–SW. Inundation of the Heno and Gertrud Formation to the open-marine mudstones of the Far-
Plateaus. sund Formation (Figs 6, 10, 17). The Farsund For-
Lithostratigraphy: Denmark: Heno and Farsund mation consists of distal, open-marine mudstones,
formations. The Netherlands: Kimmeridge Clay For- often organic-rich. As such, the Farsund Formation
mation and lower part of the Friese Front Formation. can be regarded as a facies equivalent of the Kim-
Age: Late Kimmeridgian (Mutabilis Chronozone, meridge Clay Formation. Open-marine mudstone
154.7–153.5 Ma; Figs 2, 9–11, 13). deposition persisted in the entire Danish Central Gra-
On the Gert Ridge and the Heno and Gertrud pla- ben during TS-2.2. A thickness of 600 m is recorded
teaus, the base of the Middle Jurassic–Lower Creta- in the Tail End Graben (Fig. 16). In the deepest parts
ceous succession is represented by the base of the of the basins, sediment gravity-flow sandstones
Upper Kimmeridgian Heno Formation. The Heno occur (Johannessen et al. 2010a), such as seen in
Formation marks the inundation of the Heno and well Svane-1 where intercalations of such sandy sed-
Gertrud plateaus resulting from a change in tectonic iments are frequent.
regime (Møller & Rasmussen 2003). The Heno In the Terschelling Basin, marine influence
Formation consists of two sandstone members, sep- gradually increases during TS-2.2 (Figs 7, 11, 18).
arated by mudstones (Figs 5, 6, 10, 17). The Gert The TS-2.2 sediments in the Terschelling Basin
Member is the basal and oldest sandstone member are fluvial deposits and belong lithostratigraphically
and is composed of non-marine to marginal-marine to the upper part of the Friese Front Formation,
deposits (Johannessen et al. 1996, 2010a, b; Johan- referred to as the Main Friese Front Member (Mun-
nessen 2003). The Gert Member is locally sourced sterman et al. 2012; see also Bouroullec et al.
from the Inge and Mads highs (Weibel et al. 2010) 2018).
and by erosion from the edges of the fault-bounded
plateaus (Johannessen et al. 2010a). The youngest TS-2.3. Opening of the Outer Rough Basin. Marine
Ravn Member is sourced from the Mid North Sea incursions and development of sandy shoreface
High (Weibel et al. 2010). Most of the Danish pla- complexes.
teaus were inundated during this period and pre- Lithostratigraphy: Denmark: ‘Outer Rough
served from erosion. Sand’ and the Farsund Formation. The Netherlands:
Mudstone deposition continues in the Dutch Cen- lower part of the Skylge Formation (Oyster Ground
tral Graben, but sandier non-marine sediments of the and Terschelling Sandstone Member, lower parts
upper part of the Friese Front Formation (sometimes of the Lies and Noordvaarder Member) and the Kim-
referred to as Main Friese Front Member, Bouroullec meridge Clay Formation.
et al. 2018) are observed in the southern part of the Age: Early Volgian (152–149.6 Ma; Figs 2,
graben and in the western part of the Terschelling 8–14).
Basin. It is assumed that these sediments originated In the Terschelling Basin (Fig. 1), TS-2.3 is rep-
from the eroding plateaus areas and were transported resented by the Oyster Ground Member and the
to the graben axis via incised valleys (Fig. 3; see also Terschelling Sandstone Member of the Skylge For-
Bouroullec et al. 2018). The base of the rift succes- mation. The Oyster Ground Member is the oldest
sion in the Terschelling Basin is dated as Early Kim- unit of the Skylge Formation, which consists of par-
meridgian (Mutabilis Chronozone) based on pollen allel laminated claystones with thin, silt-dominated
and spores (Fig. 11). In general, TS-2.1 consists of storm beds (Bouroullec et al. 2018, fig. 4) and shelly
fluvial deposits in the Terschelling Basin. horizons. The Oyster Ground Member is interpreted
In the northern part of the Dutch Central Graben, as lower shoreface and marks fully marine condi-
TS-2.1 is represented by mudstones from the Kim- tions in the Terschelling Basin during the early
meridge Clay Formation. In that area, no visible stages of TS-2.3. The succeeding Terschelling Sand-
change in lithology occurs from TS-1.3 to TS-2.1. stone Member represents a shoreface complex with a
variety of depositional environments such as tidal
TS-2.2. Opening of the Terschelling Basin. Sandy inlet sequences, upper shoreface, lagoonal and back-
sediment gravity flows in the Søgne Basin. barrier washover fans (Fig. 3; see also Bouroullec
et al. 2018, fig. 4). The base of the Terschelling In the Danish area, the overall mud-dominated
Sandstone Member is sharp and reflects a regression. Farsund Formation is gradually becoming more silty
The development of a shoreface complex in the in TS-2.4 than in the underlying TS-2.3, reflected by
Terschelling Basin is coeval with the development lower gamma ray values (Figs 14, 17). It is proposed
of shoreface sandstones in the Danish and German that erosion occurred on a large scale in the area at
Outer Rough Basin. This local regressive sandstone that time, leading to increased supplies of coarser
unit is known informally as the ‘Outer Rough Sand’ material even in the deepest parts of the basin.
(Johannessen et al. 2010a).
During TS-2.3, parts of the structurally elevated TMS-3 (146.6–139 Ma)
area of the Hantum Fault Zone (southern edge of
the Terschelling Basin; see Fig. 1) are transgres- Sedimentation extends to the adjacent plateaus such
sed where Early Volgian thin, sandy deposits are as the Schill Grund Plateau and Ameland Block.
preserved. Overall, subsidence appears to have Sand starvation and organic-rich shale deposition is
decreased in the Dutch Central Graben axis during evident in the Danish sector.
this period as most of the Zechstein salt withdrew In the Terschelling Basin and Dutch Central Gra-
from underneath the basin margin areas (due to weld- ben, the base of TMS-3 is traceable in well-log seis-
ing out axially) rather than from underneath the basin mic reflection patterns due to the lithological contrast
axis itself (as for TMS-1; see Bouroullec et al. 2018). between the sandy lower part of TMS-3 and the often
Sediment catchment therefore shifted from the Dutch mud-prone sediments of TMS-2 (Figs 16, 18; see
graben axis to the margins. also Bouroullec et al. 2018).
Two other lithostratigraphic units reflect erosion In the Danish Graben axis, it is more difficult to
due to fault activity and salt movement: the ‘Outer trace the base of the TMS-3. A small excursion
Rough Sand’ in the Outer Rough Basin (Figs 6, towards lower values in the gamma ray trend is
12); and the Noordvaarder Member of the Skylge observed on wireline logs, pointing to increased
Formation in the Terschelling Basin and in some silt and sand supply at this time. These intervals
parts of the northern Central Graben (Figs 5, 13). are poorly constrained stratigraphically since they
The ‘Outer Rough Sand’ is a shallow-marine sand- are rarely cored and have limited stratigraphic thick-
stone unit sandwiched between the pre-Jurassic and ness. It is suggested that local uplift affected the
Cretaceous Valhall–Asgard Formation, indicating entire area, leading to erosion in the shallowest
marine conditions in the Outer Rough Basin (Johan- parts of the basin. Indeed, there are indications that
nessen et al. 2010a). The Noordvaarder Member of the Upper Volgian is missing in the Outer Rough
the Skylge Formation is a sandy unit, directly result- Basin (Johannessen et al. 2010a).
ing from fault activity such as displayed in well Large parts of the Danish Central Graben area
B14-02 (Fig. 13) but also along the northwestern became subjected to basinal restriction during the
margin of the Terschelling Basin (Munsterman Early Ryazanian (Ineson et al. 2003), reflected in
et al. 2012; Bouroullec et al. 2018, fig. 7B). the organic-rich shale deposition of the Bo Member
of the Farsund Formation. Sediment gravity-flow
TS-2.4. Local erosion in the graben axis and on deposits have also been reported from the Gertrud
the platforms. and Tail End grabens around this time interval
Lithostratigraphy: Denmark: Farsund formation. (Andsbjerg & Dybkjær 2003; Ineson et al. 2003).
The Netherlands: Skylge (Terschelling Sandstone, Sandstone deposition of the Scruff Greensand
Noordvaarder and Lies Members) and the Kimmer- Formation continued in the Terschelling Basin at
idge Clay formations. around the same time (Fig. 7; see also Bouroullec
Age: Middle Volgian–earliest Late Volgian et al. 2018). This sandstone is likely sourced from
(149.6–144.6 Ma; Figs 2, 10–14). the Hantum Fault Zone, the Ameland Block and
The upper part of the Skylge Formation com- the area to the SE of the Terschelling Basin. Mud-
prises shallow-marine sandstones and shales that stone deposition became dominant throughout
are mainly found in the Terschelling Basin and in most of the Danish and Dutch Graben areas during
the southeastern part of the Dutch Central Graben. the Late Ryazanian, indicating a general decrease
In the northern part of the Terschelling Basin, the of tectonic activity and reflecting the final stages of
Skylge Formation becomes increasingly sand-rich rifting in the area.
(Noordvaarder Member). Evidence for erosion at
the graben axis can be seen in the northern part of TS-3.1. Widespread sand deposition in Dutch sector.
the Dutch Central Graben in well F03-03, where an Clay deposition and local gravity-flow sands in the
erosional hiatus separates the Early Volgian shales Danish sector.
of the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (TS-2.3) from Lithostratigraphy: Denmark: Farsund formation.
the Late Volgian sands of the Scruff Greensand For- The Netherlands: Scruff Greensand and Lutine
mation (TMS-3) (Fig. 5). formations.
Age: Late Volgian (146.6–144.6 Ma; Figs 2, 8, a change in directional pattern of the proto-North
11, 12, 14–16). Atlantic seaway connecting the Boreal and Tethys
The Scruff Greensand Formation is a complex of oceans, as suggested by Abbink et al. (2001). The
shallow-marine sandstones (often glauconitic- and same oceanic water-mass reconfiguration could
sometimes spiculite-bearing) and marine mudstones also be responsible for introducing stratification in
(Figs 11, 16, 18). This unit occurs over a large area of the Central Graben. Relative sea level was high dur-
the Dutch sector, but is absent from the Danish sec- ing most of the Ryazanian, pushing the shoreline
tor. The Danish sector is characterized by clay depo- southwards and preventing coarse-grained clastics
sition of the Farsund Formation. Gravity-flow sands from reaching the central parts of the study area.
are deposited locally along the Coffee Soil Fault. The transition from the sandstone-dominated Scruff
Typically, during TS-3.1 the deposition area wid- Greensand Formation to the shale-dominated Lutine
ened into plateaus located close to the graben and Formation in the Dutch area indicates that erosion in
adjacent basins (e.g. Schill Grund Plateau, Ameland the Dutch Central Graben decreased, likely due to
Block, Step Graben and Outer Rough Basin). As a rift cessation. Subsidence was still high in the
consequence, TS-3.1 reflects the initiation of the Terschelling Basin, however, resulting in a thick suc-
Cretaceous transgression. cession of TS-3.2.
TS-3.2. Reflects the start of widespread basin anoxia TMS-4 (139–126 Ma)
related to the Lower Cretaceous transgression and
sand starvation of most of the basins. Alongside the Cretaceous transgression, the Middle
Lithostratigraphy: Denmark: Bo Member (Far- Jurassic–Early Cretaceous rift phase ended. As
sund Formation). The Netherlands: Scruff Green- such, the entire region, including the study area,
sand and Lutine formations. became subject to subsidence.
Age: Latest Volgian–Early Ryazanian (144.6– The Cretaceous transgression continued and,
139 Ma; Figs 8, 12, 14, 15). with the cessation of rifting, the depositional area
TS-3.2 is characterized by widespread shale dep- widened to encompass the entire North Sea (Cromer
osition. In the Danish area, organic-rich shales of the Knoll Group in the Danish, UK and Norwegian sec-
Bo Member (Farsund Formation) are deposited over tors). This interval is generally mud prone, but
a large area (Figs 5, 17). The transition from the inspection of these intervals using well data often
marine mudstones of the Farsund Formation to the reveals thin sandy deposits at the base of the Creta-
organic-rich facies of the Bo Member is gradual ceous transgression (e.g. Vlieland Sandstone Forma-
(from the base of TS-3.1 based on gamma ray logs; tion on the Schill Grund Platform and Vlieland
Ineson et al. 2003). The maximum gamma ray values Basin, or the Leek Member of the Valhall/Asgard
associated with the organic-rich facies are reached in Formation in the Tail End Graben; Figs 1, 5–7).
the Early Ryazanian Kochi Chronozone, bounded by This change in lithology can be traced seismically,
the highest occurrence (HO) of the dinoflagellate suggesting that the base of the Cretaceous transgres-
cyst species Rotosphaeropsis thula (Fig. 15). In the sion also reflects a short-lived tectonic event related
northern part of the Dutch sector, the Lutine Forma- to a change in intra-plate stress regime. An angular
tion is also composed of organic-rich shales, but unconformity is occasionally observed at this level
with lower total organic carbon (TOC) values (less (see Abbink et al. 2006, fig. 10). The entire area,
than 3%) than the ‘hot shale’ or Bo Member further including the plateau areas, then acted as one struc-
north (3–8%, locally exceeding 15%) (see also tural province subjected to regional subsidence.
Fig. 15 for correlations). The absence of bioturbation This caused the sea to transgress much further onto
and well-preserved lamination in the Bo Member the mainland of the Friesland Platform and the
suggests anoxic bottom-water conditions (Ineson West Netherlands basins, where marginal-marine
et al. 2003) and therefore water-mass stratification sandstone deposition prevailed (Jeremiah et al.
which, in turn, can be linked to changes in basin con- 2010; Zwaan 2018).
figuration and/or climate. The first anoxia occurs
roughly at the Volgian–Ryazanian transition (Ineson
et al. 2003), close to the base of TMS-3. Slightly Conclusions
later, near the base of the Early Ryazanian Kochi
Chronozone, a climate shift is recorded. This cli- Based on detailed palynological analysis and sup-
mate change is based on palynology and is reflected ported by seismic data interpretation (Bouroullec
in the composition of the pollen and spore assem- et al. 2018), it has been possible to define a series
blages (Abbink 1998). The pollen and spore assem- of tectonostratigraphic mega-sequences (TMS) that
blages change from dominant ‘warm and dry’ reflect the stepwise basin evolution of the Late Juras-
elements to dominant ‘warm and moist’ elements. sic rift phase of the Central Graben. Rifting started in
The climate change may well have been caused by the north (Danish sector) and propagated southwards
during the initial rift phase. The sediments related to regional changes in eustasy, climate and tectonics.
this initial phase are grouped into tectonostrati- These results provide a solid foundation for explora-
graphic mega-sequence TMS-1. The oldest sedi- tion activities focusing on the Jurassic synrift play. A
ments of TMS-1 are Bathonian–Middle Callovian next step could be the development of detailed
in age and are only found in the Danish Søgne cross-border palaeogeographic maps that could
Basin, Tail End Graben and Salt Dome Province serve as a basis for play fairway analysis and for
and belong to the Bryne Formation. At the time of the establishment of common risk segment (CRS)
the latest Callovian, marine conditions reached all maps. To reach that stage, a few research questions
the way to the southernmost tip of the Central Gra- and topics still need to be addressed such as, for
ben. Evidence from erosional remnants on salt dia- example: (1) the establishment of a high-resolution
pirs shows that the latest Callovian marine correlation of the Danish/Norwegian Bryne, Lulu
transgression also extended across the plateau areas and Sandnes formations with the Dutch Lower Gra-
east and west of the Dutch Central Graben. During ben and Friese Front formations; and (2) a feasible
the next phase of basin development, TMS-2, the tectonic model to explain the divergent basin devel-
basins adjacent to the graben were affected. Subsi- opment in TMS-3. Additional research on source
dence in the graben axis continued, but the change rocks from the study area, such as the Toarcian Pos-
in tectonic regime from east–west to NE–SW exten- idonia Shale Formation, the earliest Cretaceous Clay
sion led to the (re-) activation of NW–SE-striking Deep and Bo Members and the coal occurrences
normal faults in certain areas. The Heno and Gertrud from the Middle Graben, Bryne and Sandnes forma-
plateaus were affected by subsidence first, followed tions would be beneficial for a more detailed under-
by the Terschelling Basin in the Dutch sector shortly standing of petroleum systems.
after. Later, during the Early Volgian, the depositio-
nal area reached its maximum extent when the Inge The authors would like to thank the two reviewers Bruno
and Mads highs, Outer Rough Basin and the Vlie- Vendeville (University of Lille) and Oscar Abbink (IHS
land Basin became active. This transgressive trend Markit) for their constructive feedback and comments.
is reflected in the shoreface complex occurrences Oscar is also thanked for the groundbreaking work that
of the Terschelling Sandstone Member in the Tersch- paved the way for this study. Ymke van den Berg is thanked
elling Basin and the ‘Outer Rough Sand’ in the Outer for her continuous support. The editor Ben Kilhams is
Rough Basin. At the same time, basin development thanked for his patience and scrutiny, the latter of which
became increasingly complex as salt welded out in improved the manuscript significantly. Continued financial
some parts of the Dutch Central Graben axis and sub- support from GEUS and TNO is gratefully acknowledged.
Geological insights were also gained via business-to-
sidence shifted to marginal areas. As a result, thick business and multi-client projects for oil and gas compa-
sandstone occurrences from the Noordvaarder Mem- nies. Their contributions are also gratefully acknowledged.
ber are found along the graben margins and erosion
is observed at the graben axis. The next phase,
TMS-3, demonstrated divergent basin development
in the Danish and Dutch sectors. In the Terschel- References
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Stepwise basin evolution of the Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous

CENTRAL GRABEN RIFT EVOLUTION

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shift is observed during the Middle Oxfordian when Study area

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Zone Subzone Age Deﬁnition Remarks

DCZ 1 Bathonian–Early From LO Adnatosphaeridium caulleryi to HO

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CENTRAL GRABEN RIFT EVOLUTION

Zone Subzone Age Deﬁnition Remarks

CENTRAL GRABEN RIFT EVOLUTION

CENTRAL GRABEN RIFT EVOLUTION

CENTRAL GRABEN RIFT EVOLUTION

CENTRAL GRABEN RIFT EVOLUTION

CENTRAL GRABEN RIFT EVOLUTION

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