The Tectonic Position of the Lower Mosel Block in Relation to the Tertiary and Old Pleistocene Sediments

Abstract

The results stated here the following spatial and temporal pattern of movement within the Lower Mosel Valley to be out-lined: the various old Tertiary deposits in the study area have undergone severe tectonic disturbances. The most extreme downwarping values are to be found by the Vallendar gravels, whereas the calcareous sandstone of the Miinstermaifeld area have been subjected to relatively small disturbances.

The siliceous oolite gravels are to be found at a constant elevation, excepting a few local gravel deposits, thus suggesting that there was tectonic stability in the Lower Mosel Valley during the post-Pliocene period. This is underlined by the course of the main terraces, as long as one accepts that there are six terraces. The tectonic separation of the Middle Mosel Block from the Lower Mosel Block occurred withhin a short distance in the Trais-Karden-Cochem valley section and took the form of a stair-like uplifting which resulted in post-Pliocene dis-location values of 50–65 m and Quaternary values of ca. 40 m. The main tectonic activity can be limited to the oldest Pleistocene. The entire terrace area forms an elevated surface near Cochem. It does not, however, form an arched structure (as suggested by Negendank, 1977, 1978) which slopes continually or stepwise in the direction of the Neuwied Basin.