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).

Contains numerous colorful graphics and photographs that help to 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 can be visited including their coordinates

1 Germany's geological evolution in the context of the Earth's dynamic history.- 2 Introduction to Geology and explains the plate tectonic development.- 3 Formation of both ancient and recent mountain belts - namely the Caledonian.- 4 The origin of earthquakes in Germany, the occurrence of young volcanic rocks and the various episodes of rock deformation.