Although the small country of Belgium covers only 30 507 km2 (11 779 mi2), it has played an important role in the development of the geological sciences. Extensive outcrops were available to the first investigators of Belgian geology; and as early as the mid-19th century, these type sections became standard reference points in stratigraphy. Among them are most of the internationally recognized Devonian and Carboniferous stages. Two orogenies (Caledonian and Hercynian) folded these Paleozoic rocks, which constitute the frame-work of the country (Fig. 45). Later, these basement rocks were only partially, covered by thin Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments (Mortel-mans, 1955; Lombard, 1957).
Geological sketch map of Belgium.
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Mamet, B.L., Préat, A. (1997). Belgium . In: Encyclopedia of European and Asian Regional Geology. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4495-X_11
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