For questions about geology, volcanology, seismology and related fields of science.
Questions tagged [earth-sciences]
32 questions
15
votes
1 answer
When did we first begin to suspect that the Earth had an Iron Catastrophe?
I've searched, and found some interesting articles on the subject such as the Wikipedia article, which is a nice summary. But most of the references in these articles are to other popular culture articles/documentaries on the subject. I can't…
ouflak
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10
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2 answers
Why was the Tertiary period dropped but the Quaternary retained?
The terms Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary were coined by early geologists as they tried to make sense of the rocks around them. As they began to understand what was going on, they found "Primary" and "Secondary" were unhelpful terms,…
winwaed
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6
votes
1 answer
Significance of partial melting as a form of melt production
How and when was the significance of partial melting understood to be a significant form of melt production and could explain the variability in melt (and hence igneous rock) composition?
winwaed
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3
votes
2 answers
What is the most mature observational science?
With enough experimentation to test observational results, a science could be thought of as 'maturing' into prediction.
Some sciences, however, remain absent from meaningful experiment due to practical reasons (Geologists cannot 'experiment' with…
svh160
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2
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1 answer
Why don't geologists adopt Alfred Wegener as the founder of Continental Drift
I've been told personally by a well-known (even famous) geologist that Alfred Wegener doesn't get credit for continental drift because he didn't elucidate a correct mechanism, or even a mechanism. This despite his understanding and description of…
Incredible II
- 121
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2
votes
2 answers
Old perception of the sunset: the sun is going ABOVE the horizen. does anyone heard such a thing?
I would like to know if there was an approach of ancient astronomers to describe what happens during sunset in the following way: that the sun is going toward west during the day and in the end moving upward of the horizon and disappear(and then…
Ynk
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2
votes
0 answers
What is the purpose of large drum-like device displayed in Saint-Denis, Paris?
On a forum I frequent this strange device was shown with a query as to its purpose. It is in France just at the North edge of Paris in the St Denis area( it is actually currently the site of Olympic site infrastructure. The device is incomplete and…
jamaeolus
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2
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1 answer
What is the first clear mention of ocean currents?
The Wikipedia page on Oceanography says
Humans first acquired knowledge of the waves and currents of the seas and oceans in pre-historic times. Observations on tides were recorded by Aristotle and Strabo in 384-322 BC. Early exploration of the…
curiousdannii
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1
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1 answer
Looking for early, non-European accounts and theories of volcanism
If you open any book containing some history of volcanology (e.g., The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes), you will always find the same story: first the "internal wind" theory of ancient Greeks, then the account of the AD 79 Vesuvius eruption by Pliny the…
Jean-Marie Prival
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