Deep Time (1.3.1)

Question 1

What was the Scientific Revolution?

Answer 1

• C16th-17th.
• Any scientific study of natural world = against bible!
• Developed scientific method = logical deduction based on physical and mathematical laws.

Question 2

What was Neptunism and Plutonism?

Answer 2

• Age of Enlightenment.
• Neptunism = most rocks were sediments deposited during Biblical Flood. (Ussher).
• Plutonists = believe rocks solidified from former volcanoes.

Question 3

Who was James Hutton?

Answer 3

• ‘Father of modern geology.’
• “Rocks are God’s books.”
• First to articulate ‘Principle of Uniformitarianism’ = “The present is the key to the past.”
• Reasoned sandstones were built up layer by layer by processes, over long periods.

Question 4

What is Hutton’s unconformity, Siccar Point?

Answer 4

Vertical grey sandstones/grits/siltstones overlain by gently dipping red sandstones.

Question 5

Who wrote Principles of Geology and what did it include?

Answer 5

• Sir Charles Lyell
• Laid out fundamental principles for deciphering Earth’s history.
• Established protocol of relative dating of ages of Earth materials.
• Influenced Charles Darwin’s thinking.