Scientific contributions Charles Lyell

1 scientific contributions

1.1 uniformitarianism
1.2 geological surveys
1.3 volcanoes , geological dynamics
1.4 stratigraphy
1.5 glaciers
1.6 evolution

scientific contributions

lyell s geological interests ranged volcanoes , geological dynamics through stratigraphy, palaeontology, , glaciology topics classified prehistoric archaeology , paleoanthropology. best known, however, role in popularising doctrine of uniformitarianism. played critical role in advancing study of loess.

uniformitarianism

from 1830 1833 multi-volume principles of geology published. work s subtitle attempt explain former changes of earth s surface reference causes in operation , , explains lyell s impact on science. drew explanations field studies conducted directly before went work on founding geology text. was, along earlier john playfair, major advocate of james hutton s idea of uniformitarianism, earth shaped entirely slow-moving forces still in operation today, acting on long period of time. in contrast catastrophism, idea of abrupt geological changes, had been adapted in england support belief in noah s flood. describing importance of uniformitarianism on contemporary geology, lyell wrote,

never there doctrine more calculated foster indolence, , blunt keen edge of curiosity, assumption of discordance between former , existing causes of change... student taught despond first. geology, affirmed, never arise rank of exact science... [with catastrophism] see ancient spirit of speculation revived, , desire manifestly shown cut, rather patiently untie, gordian knot.-sir charles lyell, principles of geology, 1854 edition, p.196; quoted stephen jay gould.

lyell saw himself spiritual saviour of geology, freeing science old dispensation of moses. 2 terms, uniformitarianism , catastrophism, both coined william whewell; in 1866 r. grove suggested simpler term continuity lyell s view, old terms persisted. in various revised editions (12 in all, through 1872), principles of geology influential geological work in middle of 19th century, , did put geology on modern footing. efforts knighted in 1848, made baronet in 1864.

geological surveys

lyell noted economic advantages geological surveys provide, citing felicity in mineral-rich countries , provinces. modern surveys, british geological survey (founded in 1835), , geological survey (founded in 1879), map , exhibit natural resources within country. so, in endorsing surveys, advancing study of geology, lyell helped forward business of modern extractive industries, such coal , oil industry.

volcanoes , geological dynamics

lyell argued volcanoes vesuvius had built gradually.

before work of lyell, phenomena such earthquakes understood destruction brought. 1 of contributions lyell made in principles explain cause of earthquakes. lyell, in contrast focused on recent earthquakes (150 yrs), evidenced surface irregularities such faults, fissures, stratigraphic displacements , depressions.

lyell s work on volcanoes focused largely on vesuvius , etna, both of had earlier studied. conclusions supported gradual building of volcanoes, so-called backed up-building , opposed upheaval argument supported other geologists.

stratigraphy

lyell s important specific work in field of stratigraphy. may 1828, until february 1829, travelled roderick impey murchison (1792–1871) south of france (auvergne volcanic district) , italy. in these areas concluded recent strata (rock layers) categorised according number , proportion of marine shells encased within. based on proposed dividing tertiary period 3 parts, named pliocene, miocene, , eocene.

glaciers

lateral moraine on glacier joining gorner glacier, zermatt, switzerland.

in principles of geology (first edition, vol. 3, ch. 2, 1833) lyell proposed icebergs means of transport erratics. during periods of global warming, ice breaks off poles , floats across submerged continents, carrying debris it, conjectured. when iceberg melts, rains down sediments upon land. because theory account presence of diluvium, word drift became preferred term loose, unsorted material, today called till. furthermore, lyell believed accumulation of fine angular particles covering of world (today called loess) deposit settled mountain flood water. today of lyell s mechanisms geological processes have been disproven, though many have stood test of time. observational methods , general analytical framework remain in use today foundational principles in geology.

evolution

lyell accepted conventional view of other men of science, fossil record indicated directional geohistory in species went extinct. around 1826, when on circuit, read lamarck s zoological philosophy , on 2 march 1827 wrote mantell, expressing admiration, cautioning read rather hear advocate on wrong side, know can made of case in hands .:

devoured lamark... theories delighted me... glad has been courageous enough , logical enough admit argument, if pushed far must go, if worth anything, prove men may have come ourang-outang. after all, changes species may undergo!... earth quite old supposes, has long been creed...

he struggled implications human dignity, , later in 1827 wrote private notes on lamarck s ideas. lyell reconciled transmutation of species natural theology suggesting remarkable manifestation of creative power creating each species separately. countered lamarck s views rejecting continued cooling of earth in favour of fluctuating cycle , long-term steady-state geohistory proposed james hutton. fragmentary fossil record showed high class of fishes, close reptiles in carboniferous period called first zoological era , , quadrupeds have existed then. in november 1827, after william broderip found middle jurassic fossil of mammal didelphis, lyell told father there man far oolite. lyell inaccurately portrayed lamarckism response fossil record, , said falsified lack of progress. said in second volume of principles occurrence of 1 fossil of higher mammallia in these ancient strata, fatal theory of successive development, if several hundreds had been discovered.

charles darwin

in first edition of principles, first volume briefly set out lyell s concept of steady state no real progression of fossils, in humanity had appeared recently, unique intellectual , moral qualities no great physical distinction animals. second volume dismissed lamarck s claims of animal forms arising habits, continuous spontaneous generation of new life, , man having evolved lower forms. lyell explicitly rejected lamark s concept of transmutation of species, drawing on cuvier s arguments, , concluded species had been created stable attributes. discussed geographical distribution of plants , animals, , proposed every species of plant or animal descended pair or individual, originated in response differing external conditions. species regularly go extinct, in struggle existence between hybrids, or war 1 due population pressure. vague how replacement species formed, portraying infrequent occurrence observed.

the leading naturalist sir john herschel wrote cape town on 20 february 1836, thanking lyell sending copy of principles , praising book opening way bold speculation on mystery of mysteries, replacement of extinct species others – analogy other intermediate causes, origination of fresh species, ever come under our cognizance, found natural in contradistinction miraculous process . lyell replied: in regard origination of new species, glad find think probable may carried on through intervention of intermediate causes. left rather inferred, not thinking worth while offend class of persons embodying in words speculation. whewell subsequently questioned topic, , in march 1937 lyell told him:

if had stated... possibility of introduction or origination of fresh species being natural, in contradistinction miraculous process, should have raised host of prejudices against me, unfortunately opposed @ every step philosopher attempts address public on these mysterious subjects .

as result of letters and, no doubt, personal conversations, huxley , haeckel convinced that, @ time wrote principles, believed new species had arisen natural methods. sedgwick wrote worried letters him this.

by time darwin returned beagle survey expedition in 1836, had begun doubt lyell s ideas permanence of species. continued close personal friend, , lyell 1 of first scientists support on origin of species, though did not subscribe contents. lyell friend of darwin s closest colleagues, hooker , huxley, unlike them struggled square religious beliefs evolution. inner struggle has been commented on. had particular difficulty in believing in natural selection main motive force in evolution.

alfred russel wallace in 1862.

lyell , hooker instrumental in arranging peaceful co-publication of theory of natural selection darwin , alfred russel wallace in 1858: each had arrived @ theory independently. lyell s data on stratigraphy important because darwin thought populations of organism changed slowly, requiring geological time .

although lyell did not publicly accept evolution (descent modification) @ time of writing principles, after darwin–wallace papers , origin lyell wrote in notebook:

3 may 1860: mr. darwin has written work constitute era in geology & natural history show that... descendants of common parents may become in course of ages unlike each other entitled rank distinct species, each other or of progenitors .

lyell s acceptance of natural selection, darwin s proposed mechanism evolution, equivocal, , came in tenth edition of principles. antiquity of man (published in february 1863, before huxley s man s place in nature) drew these comments darwin huxley:

fearfully disappointed @ lyell s excessive caution , book mere digest .

quite strong remarks: no doubt darwin resented lyell s repeated suggestion owed lot lamarck, whom (darwin) had rejected. darwin s daughter henrietta (etty) wrote father: fair lyell calls theory modification of lamarck s?

in other respects antiquity success. sold well, , shattered tacit agreement mankind should sole preserve of theologians , historians . when lyell wrote remained profound mystery how huge gulf between man , beast bridged, darwin wrote oh! in margin of copy.