Geology section of Berghaus's Physikalischer atlas published by Herman Berghaus, containing 15 geological maps covering the world.
The "Atlas of Geology," as the inaugural volume of Hermann Berghaus' seven-volume "Berghaus Physikalischer Atlas" series, stands as a landmark in the field of geological mapping. Published posthumously in 1892 by Justus Perthes in Gotha, the atlas was completed by Karl Alfred von Zittel, who meticulously followed Berghaus' original designs and sketches.
Hermann Berghaus, who passed away two years before the atlas's publication, personally completed the maps pertaining to geological aspects. However, his legacy did not include detailed textual explanations for these maps, posing a challenge for those without specific expertise to provide informed commentary.
A significant alteration in the atlas was the omission of the planned map "Europe in 4 Ages," a decision driven by the absence of necessary materials from Berghaus. To maintain the original number of maps, one plate was assigned the dual number "VII/VIII," leading to a curious discrepancy: the atlas was advertised as containing 15 plates, yet it only comprised 14.
The atlas begins with seven general maps, elucidating various geological themes like topography, tectonics, soil types, glaciation history, and a global geological overview. The remaining seven maps offer a detailed geological representation of each continent, along with an additional map focusing on the Alps.
Noteworthy among these is the "The Activities of the Inner Earth" map, which graphically represents volcanic and tectonic activities of the 18th and 19th centuries. This map is particularly renowned for its depiction of the Krakatoa eruption's aftermath on August 27, 1883, which remains one of the most catastrophic volcanic events in recorded history. It illustrates the progression of the resultant tsunami and the global dispersion of volcanic ash from major eruptions, offering a vivid historical account of the period's geological events and their profound impacts.