Geographic and geological overview with the location of the Hainberg section and further locations of Toarcian sections in Northern Germany. Outcrop and subsurface deposits of Lower Jurassic after Arnold et al. (1973), Duphorn et al. (1974), Motzka et al. (1979), Waldeck (1986), Kriebel et al. (1998), Motzka-Nöring (1998), Seidel et al. (1998), Radzinski et al. (1999), Knoth et al. (2000), Martiklos (2002), and Reinhold et al. (2008). Supposed former coastlines of the Toarcian after Brockamp (1944; outdated) and Ziegler (1990). Areas outlined in red are Variscan basement rocks, uplifted during the Cretaceous.