Principles of Geology: Volume 1: An Attempt to Explain the Former Changes of the Earth's Surface, by Reference to Causes now in Operation (Cambridge Library Collection - Earth Science)

In 1830-33, Charles Lyell laid the foundations of evolutionary biology with Principles of Geology, a pioneering three-volume book that Charles Darwin took with him on the Beagle. Lyell championed the ideas of geologist James Hutton, who formulated one of the fundamental principles of modern geology - uniformitarianism. This proposed that natural processes always operate according to the same laws, allowing us to understand how features of the Earth's surface were produced by physical, chemical, and biological processes over long periods of time. Volume 1 consists of 26 chapters, a comprehensive index and woodcut illustrations of various mechanisms of geological change. Lyell begins with a definition of geology and then reviews ancient theories of the successive destruction and renovation of the world. He mentions James Hutton's ideas in chapter four, and goes on to discuss the effects of climate change, running water, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes on the Earth's crust. Cover......Page 1 Frontmatter......Page 6 Contents......Page 11 LIST OF PLATES AND WOOD-CUTS IN THE FIRST VOLUME......Page 20 CHAPTER I......Page 23 CHAPTER II......Page 27 CHAPTER III......Page 43 CHAPTER IV......Page 77 CHAPTER V......Page 97 CHAPTER VI......Page 114 CHAPTER VII......Page 126 CHAPTER VIII......Page 147 CHAPTER IX......Page 166 CHAPTER X......Page 189 CHAPTER XI......Page 205 CHAPTER XII......Page 220 CHAPTER XIII......Page 242 CHAPTER XIV......Page 262 CHAPTER XV......Page 278 CHAPTER XVI......Page 307 CHAPTER XVII......Page 325 CHAPTER XVIII......Page 334 CHAPTER XIX......Page 348 CHAPTER XX......Page 362 CHAPTER XXI......Page 383 CHAPTER XXII......Page 402 CHAPTER XXIII......Page 421 CHAPTER XXIV......Page 434 CHAPTER XXV......Page 458 CHAPTER XXVI......Page 482 INDEX......Page 503