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  • Textbook
  • © 2019

The Geology of Germany

A Process-Oriented Approach

  • Includes numerous colorful graphics and photographs that help readers understand Germany’s complex geological history
  • Uses additional inset boxes to explain special subjects and key geological processes
  • Describes a number of geological sites that readers can visit, including their coordinates

Part of the book series: Regional Geology Reviews (RGR)

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Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

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Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxxvii
  2. Introduction

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 1-1
  3. Time and Geological Periods

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 3-7
  4. Rocks and the Geological Record

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 9-18
  5. The Age of the Rocks

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 19-24
  6. Plate Tectonics, the Unifying Theory

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 25-31
  7. Tectonics Units of Europe

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 33-35
  8. Overview of the Plate Tectonic History of Europe

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 37-40
  9. The Dynamic Earth, Earthquakes in Germany

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 41-52
  10. Early Geological Evolution of Germany

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 53-62
  11. Late Paleozoic of Germany

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 63-114
  12. Permian and Mesozoic Geology of Germany

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 115-190
  13. The Evolution of the Alps

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 191-208
  14. Tertiary Basins

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 209-231
  15. Tertiary and Quaternary Volcanism

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 233-249
  16. Asteroid Craters

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 251-257
  17. Germany During the Glacial Periods

    • Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr
    Pages 259-282
  18. Back Matter

    Pages 283-304

About this book

This richly illustrated book presents Germany’s geological evolution in the context of the Earth’s dynamic history. It starts with an introduction to Geology and explains the plate tectonic development, as well as the formation of both ancient and recent mountain belts – namely the Caledonian, Variscan and the modern-day Alps – that formed this part of Europe. A dedicated chapter discusses the origin of earthquakes in Germany, the occurrence of young volcanic rocks and the various episodes of rock deformation and metamorphism at these complex crossroads of plate tectonic history. 

The book highlights Germany’s diverse geological history, ranging from the origin of the Earth, the formation of deep crystalline rocks, and their overlying sedimentary sequences, to its more recent “ice age” quaternary cover. The last chapter addresses the shaping of the modern landscape. Though the content is also accessible for non-geologists, it is primarily intended for geoscience students and an academic audience.

Reviews

“This is a very high-quality production. Anyone with even just a minimum of geological background who wants to understand more about the geology of Germany, and of central and north-west Europe in general, will find this volume invaluable. For anyone contemplating a geology field trip to Germany, this book is a ‘must’. Highly recommended.” (Jur Snijder, Proceedings of the Open University Geological Society, Vol. 6, 2020)

“Ein schönes, reich und farbig bebildertes Buch, das auch Nichtwissenschaftlerrn sehr empfohlen werden kann, die mehr über die geologische Geschichte Deutschlands erfahren möchten. Gut gewählte, für Deutschland wichtige und repräsentative Aufschluß- und Gesteinsbeispiele, die tatsächlich in der Natur angetroffen werden können mit entsprechenden Abbildungen. Erklärendes und verständliches Glossar in Textboxen.” (Dr. Bertram Schmidkonz, Institut für Naturwissenschftliche Bildung (Chemie), Universität Koblenz Landau)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Institute of Geography and Geology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany

    Martin Meschede, Laurence N. Warr

About the authors

Martin Meschede (born 1957) is Professor in regional and structural geology at the University of Greifswald since 2001. From 1986 to 2001 he was a research fellow at the University of Tübingen. He works largely in themes dealing with plate tectonics, marine geology, geodynamics, structural geology and the regional geology of Central America, the east Pacific area and northern central Europe. In addition to other scientific publications, he coauthored together with Wolfgang Frisch (Tubingen/Vienna) the text book Plate tectonics and acted together with Jan Harff (Sczcecin/Poland), Sven Petersen (Kiel) and Jörn Thiede (Kiel/St. Petersburg/Russia) as editor for the Encyclopedia of Marine Geosciences.

Laurence Warr (born 1965) is Professor in economic geology and geochemistry at the University of Greifswald since 2007. From 1990 to 2002 he was a research fellow at the University of Heidelberg and between 2003 and 2007 researched for theCNRS at the University of Strasbourg. He works largely in the field of clay mineralogy, diagenesis, metamorphism and deformation processes in fault zones. His regional geology interests lie in SW England, central Europe, California and New Zealand. In addition to other scientific publications, he is a contributing author to the text book Geological History of Britain and Ireland (2009; Wiley, 2nd edition).


Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access