Loess, an eolian product

Abstract The mineralogical and mechanical composition of loess deposits of south Limburg, Netherlands, is shown to differ widely from that of the underlying Cretaceous and Tertiary formations and Pleistocene terrace deposits, and to resemble that of glacial deposits in the northern part of the region. It is concluded that the loess is not a product of weathering of the underlying rocks but is of eolian origin, derived from the glacial formations. A similar origin is suggested for loess deposits of the Mississippi valley.