As part of the European Geotraverse (EGT) a seismic refraction experiment was carried out in September 1986 with shots along a 1200 km line between Genova (Italy) and Kiel (F.R. Germany) and with fan profiles for the Pg and PMP phases in the Po Plain and the northern Appenines. Altogether, the experiment involved about 200 persons from 10 countries (Denmark, Finland, France, F. R. Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom), 288 recording units, and 30 shots fired at 14 locations. This survey achieves a continuous coverage with modern seismic refraction data along the 1200 km line. The profile traverses the Caledonides and the Varscides of Germany as well as the Young Alpine orogen of Switzerland and North Italy.