Like an idyllic island the Kaiserstuhl volcanic complex rise up in the Upper Rhine Graben lowlands between Black Forest and Vosges. However, 19 million years ago it appears different: The Upper Rhine Graben and the surrounding low mountain ranges just starts to develop, as steam fizz from the ground somewhere between Freiburg and France, whereas we could find one of the most famoust wine growing district in Europe. “The Kaiserstuhl was born”
In between the Central European Graben system, which stretch from the Mediterranean to the North Sea, at the intersection of the Upper Rhine Graben fault and the Bonndorf fault system the Kaiserstuhl volcanic complex starts to grow up. In less than 4 million years a volcanic complex grown up, which fascinates scientists as well as laymen today.
In the case of the high quality wine growing wine district most people know the Kaiserstuhl area, however even theses attribute is strongly connected the geology. Excellent soil properties, bedrock and the Mediterranean climate impress the wonderful Kaiserstuhl wine.

Geologist affiliates the Kaiserstuhl with volcanic rocks, whereas the occurrence of carbonatite has to be mentioned first. Carbonatite as volcanic limestone cause many sleepless hours and night. In contrast to the frequent appearance of sedimentary and metamorphic limestone, volcanic limestone is less frequent. More precisely worldwide carbonactite localities can easily count by a few hands.
But beside carbonatite other rocks became famous for the Kaiserstuhl volcanic complex, like limburgite from Sasbach, bergalithe from Obergergen or mondhaldeite from Oberrotweil.

Mineral collectors will call the Kaiserstuhl an eldorado, whereas primary minerals like melanite (Ti-garnet), aegirine and leucite are found as well as secondary minerals like various zeolite species.

With these sites I want to introduce to my home region and will inform about the unique geology of the Kaiserstuhl volcanic complex. Have fun!