History of Geology
Early Misconceptions Age of Earth
Dilemma-reconciling geologic features with Bible Archbishop Ussher (mid
1600's: Earth created 4004 BC and is 6000 yr old
- catastrophism-geologic features formed by relatively short-lived catastrophic
events
Origin of fossils
- Mercati (Italy, 1574)-fossils shells are mere stones which had assumed
their peculiar configuration from the influence of heavenly bodies
- Olivi de Cremona-fossils are "sports of nature"
Modern Geology
James Hutton-"father of modern geology"
- 18th Century Scottish physician carefully observed geologic features
and natural processes developed a principle called Uniformitarianism
- Uniformitarianism the physical, chemical, and biological laws that
operate today operated in the geologic past
- processes active today are responsible for geologic features
- "the present is the key to the past" How true is that statement?