"We have but to open our eyes to be convinced of this truth. Look into the sources of our mineral treasures; ask the miner, from whence has come the metal into his vein? ...There is but one place from whence these minerals may have come; this is, the bowels of the earth, the place of power and expansion, the place from whence must have proceeded that intense heat by which loose materials have been consolidated into rocks, as well as that enormous force by which the regular strata have been broken and displaced."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Imported from EN Wikiquote
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Theory_of_the_Earth
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Theory of the Earth
Theory of the Earth; or An Investigation of the Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution, and Restoration of Land upon the Globe (first published in 1788) was written by James Hutton, laying the foundations for geology. In it he showed that the Earth is the product of natural forces. What could be seen happening today, over long periods of time, could produce what we see in the rocks. This idea, uniformitarianism, was used by Charles Lyell in his work, and Lyell's textbook was an importan
35 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Theory of the Earth →
Related Quotes
"The surface of this land, inhabited by man, and covered with plants and animals, is made by nature to decay, in disso…"
"Time, which measures every thing in our idea, and is often deficient to our schemes, is to nature endless and as noth…"
"In what follows... we are to examine the construction of the present earth, in order to understand the natural operat…"
"Sand is separated and sized by streams and currents; gravel is formed by the mutual attrition of stones agitated in w…"
"The greatest part of the calcareous masses upon this globe... have originated from marine calcareous bodies; for whet…"
"We are led... to conclude, that all the strata of the earth, not only those consisting of such calcareous masses, but…"
"All the consolidated masses, of which we now enquire into the cause, are upon the surface of the earth in a state of …"
"The strata formed at the bottom of the sea, are to be considered as having been consolidated, either by aqueous solut…"
"Knowing those general laws, and making just observations with regard to the natural appearances of those consolidated…"
"Lastly, We have a surrounding body of atmosphere, which completes the globe. This vital fluid is no less necessary in…"