Theory of the Earth

E122069

Theory of the Earth is James Hutton’s foundational geological work that introduced the concept of deep geological time and laid the groundwork for modern geology.

All labels observed (3)

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (42)

Predicate Object
instanceOf book
scientific work
arguesAgainst catastrophism as the primary explanation of Earth’s features
associatedWith Scottish Enlightenment
author James Hutton
citedAs origin of the concept of deep time in geology
contributedTo acceptance of deep time in science
development of stratigraphy
rejection of strictly biblical chronology for Earth’s age
countryOfOrigin Scotland
describes processes of erosion
processes of rock consolidation
processes of sedimentation
processes of uplift
volcanic activity as part of Earth’s internal dynamics
discipline natural philosophy
emphasizes cyclical nature of erosion and deposition
slow, gradual geological processes
field Earth science
historical geology
focusesOn erosion of landmasses
formation of sedimentary rocks
rock cycle
uplift of strata
genre scientific treatise
hasKeyIdea Earth’s surface is continually renewed by natural processes
internal heat of Earth drives geological change
unconformities as evidence of long geological intervals
historicalPeriod Age of Enlightenment
surface form: Enlightenment
impact foundation of uniformitarian school in geology
influenced Charles Lyell
Principles of Geology
introducedConcept deep geological time
uniformitarianism
language English
mainSubject geology
opposes literal interpretation of a young Earth
philosophicalStance naturalistic explanation of Earth’s history
proposes Earth has no discernible beginning or end in geological processes
recognizedAs foundational text in geology
states present is the key to the past in geology
theoreticalBasisFor modern geology

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

James Hutton notableWork Theory of the Earth
Siccar Point unconformity isReferencedIn Theory of the Earth
this entity surface form: James Hutton's writings on the Theory of the Earth
Buffon workOn Theory of the Earth
this entity surface form: theory of the Earth