a vibration exciter for a soil compacting device , comprising a first unbalanced shaft , a second unbalanced shaft , which is arranged axially parallel to the first unbalanced shaft and which is contra - directionally rotatably coupled to the first unbalanced shaft in a form - locked manner , and a drive device for rotatably driving one of the two unbalanced shafts . the second unbalanced shaft has a first unbalanced shaft half and a second unbalanced shaft half , which is arranged coaxially to the first unbalanced shaft half and which can rotate relative to the first unbalanced shaft half . at least one respective unbalanced mass is arranged on the first unbalanced shaft , on the first unbalanced shaft half , and on the second unbalanced shaft .