Cover illustration source: Geological map of Belgium and neighbouring areas showing the terrain below the Hesbaye silt and Campinian sand at 1:800,000 / André Dumont https://opac.kbr.be/LIBRARY/doc/SYRACUSE/22239782
On the occasion of the 8th edition of the International Geologica Belgica congress, organised by ULiège from 11 to 13 September 2024, the Maps and Plans department of KBR put together a fascinating storymap. The map takes you through the development of the geological cartography of Belgium from the 19th century to the First World War.
You will discover unique maps and documents in the storymap, including handwritten geological surveys, preserved by the Maps and Plans department of the KBR. The notes are based on archival funds on Belgian geological maps of the 19th century, also from the KBR collection.
In the 19th century, Europe was in full industrial development and geology became increasingly important for the economy. The Belgian government soon recognised the utility of geological knowledge, both for science and industry, and commissioned a detailed geological map of Belgium.
Before 1830, very little was known about the geological structure of our country. Thanks to the ground-breaking work of pioneers such as Jean-Baptiste d’Omalius d’Halloy, André Dumont and their successors, scientists gained a better understanding of the Belgian soil. Dumont’s cartographic oeuvre contributed to Belgium’s international scientific reputation. In 1837, he was commissioned by the government to produce a geological map of Belgium. The first detailed map of Belgian soil at a scale of 1:160,000, published by Philippe Vandermaelen, was presented to the Academy in 1849.
The 1:20,000 scale geologic map: a turbulent story
Scientific advances made it necessary to create a new 1:20,000 scale geological map of Belgium, with even more detail. The ambitious project started in 1878, under the auspices of Edouard Dupont, director of the Museum of Natural History and of the dedicated surveying service set up that same year. However, the project fell victim to academic and political intrigue and was wound down after 7 years.
The failure of the 1:20,000 scale geological map project was widely reported in the press, often humorously, as can be seen in the article below from the satirical newspaper “La Bombe,” on 10 May 1879 (2nd volume – 32nd Eclat).
A new project was set up a few years later. An official 1:40,000 scale geological map, consisting of 226 pages, covering all of Belgium, was published between 1892 and 1919.