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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 May 2009
The following is the fundamental principle of the theory of terrestrial evolution which has been sometimes called the “expansion theory”:—
Masses of sediment laid down in an area of subsidence are gradually lowered to regions of the earth's crust that are at a higher temperature than that in which they were deposited. The sediment, being heated, expands, is crumpled and folded internally, and, bulging up at the surface, is reduced by denudation to the form of a mountain-chain.
page 211 note 1 It has not, however, heen overlooked by the Rev. O. Fisher. “The heat conducted into the new deposits,” the remarks, “must be abstracted from the couches beneath, so that there can be no absolute increase in the amount of heat beneath the area in question except such as is supplied to it laterally, so that the process must be excessively slow” (Physics of the Earth's Crust, second edition, p. 132). I am indebted to my friend Mr. Fisher for drawing my attention to this paragraph, which, with the exception of the last few words, contains in a condensed form the argument that follows.