“the amount of subsidence by earthquakes exceeds in that
quarter of the globe at present the elevation due to the
same cause.” The uniformitarian argument of causes in
continuous operation – today known as actualism – was
advanced as demonstrative proof: active volcanoes certainly are brief catastrophic events, indicative of the
release of subterranean energy, but they remain, none
the less, mere transitory epiphenomena on the continuing
elevation and subsidence of the earth’s crust. The Pacific,
he reasoned, has simply sunk as the underlying forces
have been released, and in corresponding motion the
nearby Andes had slowly risen out of the sea, carrying
their marine depositions with them.
Cross-references
Darwin, Charles (1809–1882)
646
LYELL, CHARLES (1797–1875)
quarter of the globe at present the elevation due to the
same cause.” The uniformitarian argument of causes in
continuous operation – today known as actualism – was
advanced as demonstrative proof: active volcanoes certainly are brief catastrophic events, indicative of the
release of subterranean energy, but they remain, none
the less, mere transitory epiphenomena on the continuing
elevation and subsidence of the earth’s crust. The Pacific,
he reasoned, has simply sunk as the underlying forces
have been released, and in corresponding motion the
nearby Andes had slowly risen out of the sea, carrying
their marine depositions with them.
Cross-references
Darwin, Charles (1809–1882)
646
LYELL, CHARLES (1797–1875)