Stratigraphic tectonic framework of Eocene sediments in the North German Basin

Dynamic tectonic processes and significant fluctuations in sea levels affected the North German Basin during the Eocene epoch, which affected the deposition and the structure of the basin. This study integrates literature, seismic data, mud logs, and well data from about 700 wells in northwestern Germany to clarify the stratigraphic framework and thickness distribution of the Middle Eocene strata. The focus is on the interaction between tectonic events, especially the regional uplift and salt domes and the regional subsidence that followed the onset of North Atlantic seafloor spreading and the resulting marine sandstone deposits, including the Brussels Sand or Glinde Formation. Preliminary results indicate that local thickness variation in the Middle Eocene strata is associated with the margins of salt domes and Tertiary faults, suggesting Syn-sedimentary tectonic influences. Furthermore, well and mud logs reveal frequent shifts in Eocene lithology, which indicate cycles of sea level fluctuations. The sediment supply must be considered to comprehend the evolutionary history of the basin comprehensively. Reconstructing Eocene depositional environments and clarifying the causes of the thickness variability provide a strong basis for resource assessment, particularly for geothermal exploration in the North German Basin.