Distant Galaxy Transformation Probed by VLT and HST

We investigate the morphologies and velocity fields of spiral galaxies in distant clusters (z ~ 0.5) focussing on signatures from interactions. Structural parameters and peculiarities are determined with HST/ACS images. To derive the internal kinematics and rotation curves we have performed 3D-spectroscopy allowing the construction of the full velocity field for each galaxy. Combining both approaches, transformation mechanisms are revealed that affect not only the stellar populations but also the mass distribution. The observations are supported by N-body/SPH simulations of different interaction processes.