The maps show the thickness of the respective seismic units in meters. These are seven mapped units identified above the Middle Miocene unconformity based on seismic and borehole geophysical data. The publication "Late Cenozoic evolution of the German North Sea - Sedimentation in a subsiding basin" (Thöle et al., 2014) documents, among other things, a detailed description of these units. Sedimentation in the southern North Sea was dominated from the middle Miocene into the Pleistocene by a delta system advancing from east to west, the so-called Eridanos Delta (sensu Overeem et al., 2001). The dimensions of this fossil delta are comparable to those of the largest delta systems on Earth today (Schwarz, 1996). The evolution of this depositional system has been the subject of numerous scientific studies in recent decades (e.g., Sörensen et al., 1997; Overeem et al., 2001; Kuhlmann, 2004), but these have focused mainly on the neighboring North Sea sectors and relatively little was known about the German part. However, for the overall understanding of the deltaic sedimentation prevailing in this time interval and its evolution, the German part is indispensable, since from the Upper Miocene until the late Pliocene, the main depositional area of the giant delta was predominantly located in the present-day German North Sea sector. Based on extensive seismic data and geophysical borehole information, a detailed mapping of the late Cenozoic delta deposits in the German North Sea sector has been carried out for the first time. The subdivision of the sedimentary sequence, which was previously only roughly subdivided or not subdivided at all, was carried out according to seismostratigraphic and sequence-stratigraphic concepts (e.g. Mitchum et al., 1977; Catuneanu, 2006). Then, seven regionally significant seismic horizons above the Middle Miocene unconformity were identified and temporally calibrated using new biostratigraphic dating. They subdivide the Late Cenozoic sedimentary sequence into seven main depositional units, namely SU1 to SU7. The units, each bounded at its base and top by prominent unconformities, reflect successive phases of deltaic development. Literature: Thöle, H., Gaedicke, C., Kuhlmann, G., and Reinhardt, L. (2014). Late Cenozoic sedimentary evolution of the German North Sea – A seismic stratigraphic approach: Newsletters on Stratigraphy, 47, (3), 299-329. Mitchum, R.M.J., Vail, P.R., Sangree, J.B. (1977). Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea-level, part 6: stratigraphic interpretation of seismic reflection patterns in depositional sequences. In: Payton, C. (Ed.), Seismic Stratigraphy Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration. American Association of Petroleum Geologist Memoir, vol. 26. AAPG, Tulsa, pp. 117-133. Sørensen, J. C., Gregersen U., Breiner M. und Michelsen O. (1997). High-frequency sequence stratigraphy of Upper Cenozoic deposits in the central and southeastern North Sea areas, Marine and Petroleum Geology, 14 (2), 99-123. Overeem, I., G. J. Weltje, C. Bishop-Kay, and S. B. Kroonenberg (2001). The Late Cenozoic Eridanos delta system in the Southern North Sea Basin: a climate signal in sediment supply?, Basin Research, 13 (3), 293-312. Kuhlmann, G. (2004). High resolution stratigraphy and paleoenvironmental changes in the southern North Sea during the Neogene. An integrated study of Late Cenozoic marine deposits from the northern part of the Dutch offshore area, cummulative thesis, 209 pp, Utrecht University, Utrecht. Catuneanu, O., 2006. Principles of Sequence Stratigraphy: New York, Elsevier, 386 p.

Web Map Service (WMS) of the mean annual rate of percolation from the soil in Germany (SWR1000). The mean annual rate of percolation from the soil is defined as the amount of water that leaves the soil after consideration of capillary rise. It is expressed in mm/a. Precipitation water infiltrated into the soil after deduction of surface runoff, first stands for the water supply of the vegetation available. Exceeds the water content in the root zone, the field capacity, the water infiltrated force of gravity moved following down and leaves the root zone. Movement of water in the unsaturated zone is affected by infiltration of precipitation and irrigation water, evaporation, absorption of water by plant roots, and ascent of water from the groundwater table by capillary action. The percolating water leaves the soil as interflow, discharging into surface water bodies, or via the groundwater table, recharging the groundwater. Percolating water affects soil formation and the migration and leaching of plant nutrients and contaminants. Knowledge of the rate of percolation is of particular importance for protecting groundwater quality. The mean annual rate of percolation is the balance of precipitation, evapotranspiration and surface runoff.

The IHME1500 v1.2 is a vector dataset resulting from the digitisation of the 25 published map sheets of the International Hydrogeological Map of Europe at the of scale 1:1,500,000 (IHME1500). The dataset was extended for five unpublished, digitised IHME1500 map sheets to achieve full map coverage. It consists of selected features of the IHME1500 with the following content: - Aquifer types (area): Distinction of six types of aquifers according to their productivity and void types. - Lithology (area): Lithological classification of the aquifers at five aggregation levels. - Seawater intrusion (area): Areas with salination of groundwater caused by sea water intrusion. - Tectonic fractures (line): Geological lineaments assigned to the five classes of known or supposed faults or overthrusts and boundaries of fractured belts in Iceland. The IHME1500 v1.2 includes a correction of inconsistencies of the printed map sheets and was spatially adjusted to an up-to-date topographic base. The IHME1500 is a hydrogeological map series consisting of 25 published map sheets with explanatory notes that covers the European continent and parts of the Near East. The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are the project coordinators, supported by the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) and the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW). Each sheet consists of contributions by the respective countries represented in the map, which were harmonised across borders. The map series including the explanatory notes can be used for scientific purposes, for large-scale regional planning and as a framework for detailed hydrogeological mapping.

Web Map Service (WMS) of the BUEK1000. The first country wide soil map at a scale of 1:1,000,000 (BUEK1000) has been compiled on the basis of published soil maps of the former German Democratic Republic and the pre 1990 federal states of Germany. To do this, it was necessary to match the soil systems used in East and West Germany and to develop standardized descriptions of soil units. A relatively homogeneous map has resulted, which permits uniform assessment of the soils throughout Germany. The map shows 71 soil mapping units, described in the legend on the basis of the German and FAO soil systems. Each soil unit has been assigned a characteristic soil profile (Leitprofil) as an aid to map interpretation. For the first time the subdivision of the country into 12 soil regions has been represented on the map. This subdivision was coordinated with the state Geological Surveys. These soil regions will represent the highest hierarchic level of nation wide soil maps in future. The colours of soil units correspond to the standards of the 'Bodenkundliche Kartieranleitung' (KA 3; Guidelines for Soil Mapping). The various hues characterize differences in relief or soil humidity. The BUEK1000 was produced digitally. It is an important part of the spatial database integrated in the Soil Information System currently being established at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (FISBo BGR). It can be used together with the characteristic soil profiles to derive thematic maps related to nation wide soil protection. The scale of the BUEK1000 makes it especially suitable for small scale evaluations at federal or EU level.

The map of the plant available water in Germany gives an overview of the amount of water which is available for plant growth in the summer period (April – September). It is the sum of the available water holding capacity of soils the precipitation in summer and the amount of capillary rise. The map was made on the basis of the land use stratified soil map of Germany at a scale of 1:1,1000,000, climate data for the period of 1961–1990 and land use information is derived from the Corine Land Cover data set (2006). The method is part of the TUB_BGR approach to model seepage water and is published in the documentation of Ad-hoc-AG Boden (representing the soil experts of the geological services of the German federal states).

The data set includes meta data from sedimentary samples taken within the exclusive economic zone of Germany that are affected by the Geological Data Act. Also includes information on applied laboratory methods.

For farming, the production function of the soils and thus the natural soil fertility play a decisive role. A healthy soil with its properties, potentials and functions is the basis for high land yields, but at the same time also the basis for sustainable agriculture and responsible land use. The theme maps of soil capability in Germany are based on the landuse stratified soil map of Germany 1:1,000,000 (BUEK1000N), the Digital Elevation Model DGM50 of the German Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), climatic information of the German Meteorological Service (DWD) for the period 1961-1990 as well as on land use data from the data set CORINE Landcover 2006 (UBA).

In addition to substances that serve as nutrients for the plants, there are also pollutants in the soil which in higher concentrations can impair the growth of plants and animals. Some substances (e.g., nickel) are essential in low concentrations but in higher concentrations they are toxic. The human being mostly is responsible for excessively high pollutant concentrations; However, there are naturally also increased levels of pollutants, which are mostly derived from the parent material. Background values describe the typical natural concentrations of these substances in our soils. The storage of pollutants and their possible degradation in the soil prevent the transfer of the pollutants into the groundwater. The theme maps for the substances in soils of Germany are based on the non-and landuse stratified soil map of Germany 1: 1.000.000 (BUEK1000, BUEK1000N) and data sets from the FISBo laboratory and profile database and 175 data sets from literature.

The WMS D-AERO (INSPIRE) comprises airborne geophysical surveys for mapping the shallow subsurface in Germany. Since the eighties BGR carries out helicopter borne measurements in Germany as well as in neighbouring and distant countries. In particular a series of continuous areas on the German North Sea coast are flown during the last years within the context of the D-AERO project. The helicopter of type Sikorsky S-76B is operated for the airborne geophysical survey of the earth's subsurface. Usually airborne electromagnetic, magnetic and radiometric measurements are carried out. According to the Data Specification on Geology (D2.8.II.4_v3.0, sub-theme Geophysics) the information with respect to the airborne geophysical surveys is INSPIRE-compliant. The WMS D-AERO (INSPIRE) contains for each airborne geophysical survey one layer, e.g. GE.flightLine.G081Cuxhaven. The flightlines are displayed correspondingly to the INSPIRE portrayal rules. Via the getFeatureInfo request, the user obtains the content of the INSPIRE attributes platformType und profileType. Additionally, the WMS contains a campaign layer (GE.airborneGeophysicalSurvey) with the INSPIRE attributes campaignType and surveyType.

The KOR250 in the scale of 1:250,000 shows occurrences and deposits of mineral resources in Germany, which lie close to the Earth’s surface, i.e. can be mined in open-pits, quarries or near-surface mines. These mineral resources include industrial minerals, aggregates, peat, lignite, oil shales, and natural brines. The map is the digital successor of the map series KOR200 „Map of Near-Surface Deposits of the Federal Republic of Germany 1:200,000”, which has been published since 1984. The KOR200 and KOR250 have been published by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources together with the State Geological Surveys of the federal states on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Primary purpose of the KOR250 is to display Germany’s potential of domestic raw materials in a comparable way. The explanations given in the printed booklets accompanying the KOR200 are not available in the digital KOR250. In the KOR250 besides the defined deposits and differently coloured areas of raw materials, "active mines" (= operations) at time of publication or "focal points of several active mines" are marked with one symbol each. These symbols often display the headquarters of the mining company and not the mining site itself. As the map sheets of the KOR200 have been generated over more than three decades the timeliness of data is extremely different. For more detail, the current large-scale raw material maps of the Federal State Geological Surveys should always be consulted.