Adam Sedgwick and Lakeland Geology (1822-24)

摘要

Using Adam Sedgwiek's original notebooks as the main source ufintbrmution, an account is given of his work in the Lake District, luigland, during the years 1X22-24. Attention is focused on the way in which he worked in an area that had received little attention previously from established geologists. But it is pointed out that he received considerable help from local amateurs, particularly Jonathan Otley. Sedgwick ranged over the country, mapping it according to ruck types previously recognised by Otley, who also taught Sedgwick how to distinguish between bedding, joints, and cleavage. Sedgwick's hand-coloured geological map of Cumberland has been identified. Sedgwick did not give much attention to fossils, but he took careful note of dips and strikes, and structural features in general, lie mapped a band of "Transition Limestone" (Coniston Limestone) across The Lakes, and showed how it had suffered considerable faulting, the faults being correctable with some of the major valleys of the region. Sedgwick sought to subsume his observations under the general theory of Elie de Ikaumiint. Tims Sedgwiek's "catuslrophism" was grounded in a firm empirical base, and was not, by any means, mere "Biblical" geology. Consideration is given to the differences between the achievements of an amateur geologist such as Otlcy and a professional such as Sedgwick.