Geology The Vosges, the present source region of the Moselle, were formed about 50 million years ago. In the Miocene and Pliocene epochs the ancient Moselle (Urmosel) was already a tributary of the ancient Rhine (Ur-Rhein). When, in the Quaternary period, the Rhenish Massif slowly rose, the meanders of the Moselle were formed between the Trier Valley and the Neuwied Basin.
GeOlOGy the vosgES, ThE prESENT sOurce region of the moselLe, WerE fOrmeD aBout 50 MilLion YEarS aGO. in THE mioceNe anD pLIoCene epOchs The ancIent mOSelLe (UrmOsEl) wAs aLready A triBuTary oF The ANcieNt RhiNE (UR-RHEIn). when, IN The qUatErNarY peRiOd, The rhENiSH masSIf slowLY Rose, tHe mEaNdeRs Of The MoSelLe wERe formeD BeTween ThE tRIEr valley AND THE neuwIed BasIn.