Among the first laboratories established at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, founded in 1926, were those of Geology, Petrology and Mineralogy, and of Meteorology and Climatology. These laboratories commenced operation in the academic year 1928–1929 within the framework of the then Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Following the subsequent organization of the Faculty into departments, the Laboratory of Geology, Petrology and Mineralogy was divided into the Laboratories of Geology and Paleontology and of Mineralogy and Petrography, which were incorporated into the Department of Natural Sciences that operated during the academic year 1943–1944. The Laboratory of Meteorology and Climatology was incorporated into the Department of Physics and later, with the establishment of the Department of Geology, was transferred to that department.

Over the following three decades, the Department of Natural Sciences — whose principal areas of focus were the geological and biological sciences — expanded considerably, incorporating additional laboratories such as those of Physical Geography, Geophysics, and Systematic Mineralogy–Petrography. In 1973 the Department was divided, leading to the establishment of the Departments of Geology and Biology.

The Department of Geology was formally founded by Royal Decree 290/5-4-1973 and began operating in the academic year 1973–1974, staffed largely by graduates of the former Department of Natural Sciences. In 1983, by then incorporated into the Faculty of Science, the Department was reorganized into academic divisions representing related teaching and research fields. The initial divisions — formed either through the merger of related laboratories or through their institutional evolution — were: Geology and Physical Geography; Mineralogy–Economic Geology; Geophysics and Geotectonics; and Meteorology. In 1984 the latter three divisions were renamed Mineralogy–Petrology–Economic Geology, Geophysics, and Meteorology and Climatology, respectively. In 2001 a fifth division, Physical and Environmental Geography, was created from the Division of Geology and Physical Geography, which itself was renamed the Division of Geology. In 2021 this division was further renamed the Division of Tectonics, Historical and Applied Geology.

The Department continued to expand through the introduction of new courses, the development of new research fields, and the establishment of additional laboratories, including those of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology; Geochemistry (replacing the Laboratory of Systematic Mineralogy–Petrography); Applications of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems; and Applied Geophysics.

The Department also hosts the Museums of Paleontology and Mineralogy–Petrology, as well as the Seismological Station and the Olympus Scientific Center (Climatological Station). Today, it offers students a broad and comprehensive curriculum while conducting research across nearly the entire spectrum of geosciences. Core subject areas include Industrial Minerals and Rocks; Geographic Information Systems; Geothermal Energy; Geophysics; Geochemistry; Applied Geology; Sedimentology; Climatology and Meteorology; Mineral Fuels; Mineralogy; Paleomagnetism; Paleontology; Environmental Geology; Environmental Geochemistry; Petrology; Seismology; Stratigraphy; Tectonic Geology; Engineering Geology; Hydrogeology; Physical Geography; and Oceanography. These areas are complemented by instruction in various aspects of informatics.

The “THEOPHRASTOS” Library, with its dedicated reading room and extensive holdings of books and journals, constitutes an integral component of the Department. Together with its computing facilities, it provides high-quality services to students and staff alike.

The Department’s growth led to the establishment of structured undergraduate specializations and subsequently to the development of postgraduate programs. While doctoral degrees had been awarded since the founding of the Department of Natural Sciences, institutionalized postgraduate study programs later enabled the awarding of Master’s degrees.

The Department is staffed by experienced and highly qualified teaching and research personnel engaged in a broad range of scholarly activities. Research funding is derived not only from state support but primarily from competitive research projects conducted independently or in collaboration with related institutions in Greece and abroad.

The outcomes of this research are disseminated through original scientific publications in reputable national and international journals. This scholarly activity also underpins the completion of Master’s theses and doctoral dissertations. Educational and research cooperation with corresponding departments of foreign universities represents a long-standing tradition that enriches both teaching and research.

The Department’s decades-long development is widely regarded as successful. While its objectives have been achieved, they have also continually evolved and expanded. The pursuit of innovation and quality remains fundamental to progress and prosperity, and the Department of Geology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki remains committed to serving society through education, research, and outreach.

The Department maintains a strong research profile and societal contribution, undertaking numerous independent and collaborative research projects, supervising doctoral work, and publishing extensively in leading scientific journals. It sustains active international academic partnerships and has successfully organized many national and international conferences and scientific meetings.