Geological Map of the Federal Republic of Germany 1:250,000 (GÜK250)

The Geological Map of the Federal Republic of Germany 1: 250 000 (GÜK250) is a leaf-free island map and the digital successor to the Geological Overview Map of the Federal Republic of Germany 1: 200 000 (GÜK200). Like its predecessor, the GÜK250 depicts the near-surface geology of Germany and contains harmonised and updated information on the age, composition and formation of the rocks. According to this content, the GÜK250 offers three nationwide legends for the representation of the geological units: chronostratigraphy, (b) petrography and (c) petrogenesis. Furthermore, the GÜK250 contains information on lithostratigraphy, the formation process, space and milieu of rocks. In addition, the GÜK250 — if available — provides thickness information on the geological units and contains layers with tectonic line elements, ice edges and quartz veins. In general, the term “surface geology” refers to geological formations up to a depth of 2 m. However, this concept of representation — especially in the south of Germany — is sometimes significantly deviated, so that rock powers of up to several 100 m can occur. In addition to the base layer, there is in the GÜK250 an overlay layer, which usually contains low-power quaternary top layers.