Principles of Geology
An Attempt to Explain the Former Changes of the Earth's Surface, by Reference to Causes now in Operation

Charles Lyell profoundly influenced Charles Darwin with this pioneering book on the natural processes reflected in the geological record.

Charles Lyell (Author)

9781108001359, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 July 2009

540 pages
21.6 x 14 x 3.1 cm, 0.68 kg

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.

1. Geology defined
2. Oriental cosmogony
3. Arabian writers of the tenth century
4. Werner's application of geology to the art of mining
5. Review of the causes which have retarded the progress of geology
6. Proofs that the climate of the northern hemisphere was formerly hotter
7. On the causes of vicissitudes in climate
8. Geological proofs that the geographical features of the northern hemisphere were such as would give rise to an extremely hot climate
9. Theory of the progressive development of organic life considered
10. Division of the subject into changes of the organic and inorganic world
11. Action of running water, continued
12. Difference between the transporting power of springs and rivers
13. Reproductive effects of running water
14. Oceanic deltas
15. Destroying and transporting effects of tides and currents
16. Action of tides and currents, continued
17. Reproductive effects of tides and currents
18. Division of igneous agents into the volcano and the earthquake
19. History of the volcanic eruptions in the district of Naples
20. Dimensions and structure of the cone of Vesuvius
21. External physiognomy of Etna
22. Volcanic Archipelagos
23. Earthquakes and their effects
24. Earthquake in Calabria, February 5th, 1783
25. Earthquakes of the eighteenth century, continued
26. Magnitude of the subterranean changes produced by earthquakes at great depths below the surface.

Subject Areas: Geological surface processes [geomorphology RBGD]