The Geology of Switzerland: An Introduction to Tectonic Facies

Kenneth Hsü's previous books have fascinated general audiences and served as accessible texts for students of geology. Here this leading earth scientist relates the study of the Alps to his theory of tectonic facies, thus demonstrating how the plate tectonics model can be used to understand the geology of mountains. Mountain chains have individualities, each one being different from the others, but they also share some common characteristics since they are all built according to the same body-plan (Bauplan). In this book Hsü looks at the geology of the Swiss Alps to explain that plan and to show how the Alps and other ancient mountain systems were constructed.


The Geology of Switzerland will be invaluable for anyone taking a course in plate tectonics or structural geology, and it will be a useful guide for geologists, professional or amateur, traveling in the Alps. The first twelve chapters are a translation and revision of Hsü's popular German textbook Geologie der Schweiz, while the last two formulate his facies concept and use it to discuss the classic mountain ranges of the world.