Thomas Will

Thomas Will is an Associate Professor at the Chair of Geodynamics and Geomaterials Research within the Institute of Geography and Geology at the University of Würzburg's Faculty of Philosophy. With an academic career spanning over three decades, he has established himself as a leading expert in metamorphic petrology, structural geology, and geodynamics, particularly focused on the European Variscides and South Atlantic correlations.

His research interests encompass the geodynamic evolution of the Mid-German Crystalline Zone through integrated petrological, structural, geochemical, and geochronological studies. Notable contributions include the discovery of eclogite-facies rocks in the Odenwald, recognition of Variscan terrane boundaries, and correlation of Neoproterozoic orogenic belts across the South Atlantic. His work has revealed that the CDT basement in Uruguay represents displaced fragments of southwest Africa, forming the 'Arachania' microplate that separated from the Kalahari Craton during Rodinia breakup.

Will's recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate continued research productivity with significant contributions to understanding ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism, Ediacaran-Cambrian tectonomagmatic events in SW Gondwana, and the geodynamic evolution of the Variscan orogen. His work shows a clear progression from regional structural studies to broader continental-scale tectonic reconstructions using advanced geochronological techniques.

• Jubilee Medal (Best paper award), Geological Society of South Africa (2005)
• Heisenberg Scholarship, German Research Foundation (1996)
• Listed in Marquis' Who's Who in the World and Science and Engineering (since 2010)

As an educator, Will supervises doctoral students working on advanced petrological topics while teaching Petrology and Advanced Thin Section Microscopy. His international collaborations span institutions in Uruguay, China, South Africa, and Sweden, reflecting the global significance of his research. Will's work bridges fundamental geological processes with practical applications in understanding continental evolution and resource formation.