How Did Charles Lyell Contribute To The Study Of Geology?
Angela Jenkins
Professor Gleason
Physical Geology
October 19, 2016
Sir Charles Lyell It is impossible to discuss the history of geology, without talking about Sir Charles Lyell. He made his mark in a big transitioning moment for the science. The change from catastrophism to uniformitarianism shook the geological world. His work is held with very high esteem, and many of his ideas are still practiced in research today.
Sir Charles Lyell was born November 14, 1797 and lived until February 22, 1875 (“Sir Charles Lyell, Baronet” 1). Although he was born in Scotland, his family moved to England when he was very young. Lyell’s father was very interested in natural sciences and loved to share that interest with his son. Charles attended a series …show more content…
First, geologic processes are the same today as in the past; proceeding slowly without catastrophes and added up to yield considerable results. Second, a very long time was necessary to obtain the results we can see now (Kuznetsov 188). “Lyell’s basic idea can be described as, from ancient times up to the present, no other causes acted except those now in action, and their action always showed up with the same energy they exhibit now” (Kuznetsov 188). Lyell’s book affected the study of geology in such a way that it has been referred to as “the most important scientific textbook ever written (Gould 2). Charles Darwin even went as far as to say that “the science of geology is enormously indebted to Lyell” (Adams …show more content…
To be able to completely transform the study of a science is quite an accomplishment for one man. Without Lyell, our perception of our planet today could be extremely skewed. Before Lyell, geologists were relying on guesses and philosophies that were unable to be physically tested. This type of study would never stand as a science today. The importance of Lyell’s “Principles of Geology” was not only to give light to a new theory, but it also gave the study of geology a legitimate way to test findings.
In order to understand our present, we must look into our past. Without uniformitarianism, many natural disasters would still puzzle the people and there would be no way to predict anything from an earthquake to a volcanic eruption. If we did not know that earthquakes are built up of stress overtime, we would probably think that the rapid increase in earthquakes lately is just a random catastrophe. If a catastrophe was the scientific answer, no one would dig deeper to find the causes such as plate movement or water
Professor Gleason
Physical Geology
October 19, 2016
Sir Charles Lyell It is impossible to discuss the history of geology, without talking about Sir Charles Lyell. He made his mark in a big transitioning moment for the science. The change from catastrophism to uniformitarianism shook the geological world. His work is held with very high esteem, and many of his ideas are still practiced in research today.
Sir Charles Lyell was born November 14, 1797 and lived until February 22, 1875 (“Sir Charles Lyell, Baronet” 1). Although he was born in Scotland, his family moved to England when he was very young. Lyell’s father was very interested in natural sciences and loved to share that interest with his son. Charles attended a series …show more content…
First, geologic processes are the same today as in the past; proceeding slowly without catastrophes and added up to yield considerable results. Second, a very long time was necessary to obtain the results we can see now (Kuznetsov 188). “Lyell’s basic idea can be described as, from ancient times up to the present, no other causes acted except those now in action, and their action always showed up with the same energy they exhibit now” (Kuznetsov 188). Lyell’s book affected the study of geology in such a way that it has been referred to as “the most important scientific textbook ever written (Gould 2). Charles Darwin even went as far as to say that “the science of geology is enormously indebted to Lyell” (Adams …show more content…
To be able to completely transform the study of a science is quite an accomplishment for one man. Without Lyell, our perception of our planet today could be extremely skewed. Before Lyell, geologists were relying on guesses and philosophies that were unable to be physically tested. This type of study would never stand as a science today. The importance of Lyell’s “Principles of Geology” was not only to give light to a new theory, but it also gave the study of geology a legitimate way to test findings.
In order to understand our present, we must look into our past. Without uniformitarianism, many natural disasters would still puzzle the people and there would be no way to predict anything from an earthquake to a volcanic eruption. If we did not know that earthquakes are built up of stress overtime, we would probably think that the rapid increase in earthquakes lately is just a random catastrophe. If a catastrophe was the scientific answer, no one would dig deeper to find the causes such as plate movement or water