Goltschenried-Formation

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Representation and status

Index
hG
Color CMYK
(11%,0%,11%,29%)
Color RGB
R: 160 G: 180 B: 160
Rank
lithostratigraphic Formation
Validity
Unit is in Use

Nomenclature

Deutsch
Goltschenried-Formation
Français
Formation de Goltschenried
Italiano
Formazione di Goltschenried
English
Goltschenried Formation
Origin of the Name

Goltschenried (VS) im Lötschental

Historical Variants

Karbonschiefer, anthrazitführende Mulde von Goltschenried (Rutsch et al. 1966), Goltschenried Formation (Berger et al. 2017)

Age

Age at top
  • Late Pennsylvanian
Age at base
  • Late Pennsylvanian

Geography

Geographical extent
Lötschental

References

Definition
Berger Alfons, Mercolli Ivan, Herwegh Marco, Gnos Edwin (2017) : Geological Map of the Aar Massif, Tavetsch and Gotthard Nappes. Geological Special Map 1:100'000, Explanatory Notes 129

p.44: The Goltschenried Formation consists of graphitic schist and gneiss with minor intercalations of sandstone, conglomerate and rare rhyolitic tuff of Carboniferous age (LEDERMANN 1945, 1965, JONGMANS 1960), outcropping as small lenses and layers in the Lötschental area (LEDERMANN 1965, HÜGI et al.1988). Massive anthracite forms locally centimetre- to several metre-thick layers at the type locality near Goltschenried. These coal seams were exploited during both World Wars (LABHART 1977). The anthracite-rich zones were also encountered in both the Lötschberg Summit and Base Railroad Tunnels (ZIEGLER & ISLER 2013). Vitrinite reflectance data from two such layers yielded burial temperatures between 290 and 360°C in agreement with the Early Oligocene– Miocene tectonic overload (WILLIAMS et al. 2008).

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