AUSTRIAN JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCES is the official journal of the Austrian Geological, Mineralogical and Palaeontological Societies, hosted by a country that is famous for its spectacular mountains that are the birthplace for many geological and mineralogical concepts in modern Earth science. AUSTRIAN JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCE focuses on all aspects relevant to the geosciences of the Alps, Bohemian Massif and surrounding areas. Contributions on other regions are welcome if they embed their findings into a conceptual framework that relates the contribution to Alpine-type orogens and Alpine regions in general, and are thus relevant to an international audience. Contributions are subject to peer review and editorial control according to SCI guidelines to ensure that the required standard of scientific excellence is maintained.