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Shear wave velocity, especially when used with Compressional wave velocity, is an important constraint on estimates of the composition and physical state of the continental lithosphere. We present shear velocity (ν_s) models derived from high‐quality S wave data along three profiles in Southwest Germany, which combine with existing P wave velocity (ν_p) models to give Poisson's ratio (σ) in the crust and uppermost mantle. We then construct a laterally varying petrological model of the crust by comparing our ν_p and ν_s models with published laboratory‐measured rock velocities. In general, Poisson's ratio is 0.25 in the uppermost crust, 0.22–0.23 in the mid‐crust (but reaching a low of 0.15 in the Black Forest low‐ν_p zone), and varies laterally from 0.24 to 0.30 in the lower crust; the average Poisson's ratio of the whole crust is everywhere about 0.25. The laminated signature of the lower crust prominent on reflection …