In June, the PGK travelled to one of the few places in the Netherlands where bedrock is exposed: Maastricht. Led by Henk Koster and local guides, our group explored four fascinating stops to discover the geology of the Cretaceous Chalk Group.

Maastricht, renowned for giving its name to the Maastrichtian Stage, showcases not only the geological significance of the chalk but also the region’s rich cultural heritage. We were guided through the Jezuïtenberg, a former quarry decorated with beautifully preserved drawings, and visited a prehistoric flint quarry, where high-quality flint was extracted thousands of years ago.

We also explored the Geulhemmergroeve, where researchers argue that the K–Pg boundary is exposed. Naturally, this was quickly renamed the “PGK boundary”! Finally, we visited the famous ENCI quarry, where we gained a broader perspective on the chalk sequence, its depositional cycles, and the fascinating processes that led to the formation of chert.

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