The clastic sediments between the lignite seams ("Hauptmittelsande"), is found in the open cast mine within the East Subhercynian depression, near the town of Aschersleben. I started my field work utilizing the former model of the lacustrine-fluviatil genesis of the sands and sandy clays. These sediments were deposited during the Palaeogen Period (from Lutetium to Priabonium). The marine influence, during the deposition of the sediment, is verified in the structure of the sediments, trace fossils, existence of flood tide channels and presence of dinoflagellates. Analysis of the dinoflagellates established it was possible to define their zones in the sediments, and to close some gaps in the sediment profile. The hiatuses are defined inside the clastic sediments of the "Hauptmittel-Folge" and between the clastic complex (Lutetium and Barton) and the sediments of Priabonium. The sediments are deposited in a flat bay, which is part of the large palaeogenic coastal plain, and are comparable to similar aged sediments of this plain. An example are the lignite deposits from the Subherzynian depression, and the area of Halle-Merseburg. The original covering of the sediments were maintained in a large area, and as erosion took place, they were captured in the depressions of the salt diapir from Aschersleben only, since they were raised from under the deepest erosion level, after genesis. |