Mesozoic-Tertiary weathering and soil formation on slates of the Rhenish Massif, Germany

摘要: Abstract Weathering of Paleozoic slates and sandstones the Rhenish Massif in western Germany, which occurred during Upper Mesozoic Tertiary under warm, humid tropical to subtropical climatic conditions, led formation a regolith up 150 metres thick. In flat upland areas Hunsru¨ck Eifel, where tectonic uplift was relatively weak, remnants this weathering mantle, more or less truncated by Pleistocene erosion, are still preserved. On overlapping sections drill cores an autochthonous paleosoil saprolite underneath, morphological, geochemical mineralogical zonation complete profile mantle has been reconstructed. A fossil pre-Oligocene Plinthitic Acrisol, covered Oligocene fluvial sediments, displays characteristics formed high groundwater table. other hand underlying can be subdivided into lower reduction horizon upper oxidation horizon, each them than 40 meters This indicates polygenesis Tertiary, due descending tables caused beginning drier periods Middle Tertiary. During deposition kaolinitic clays derived from removed horizons soils started fault-block depressions. Periglacial processes further removal superficial layers on top saprolite. Presently sediments as well exploited kaolin deposits.