Preview

PDF johnston-observ...pdf | Download (715kB) Available under University of Tasmania Standard License.

Abstract

Any enquiry into the causes which have produced, and are
still producing, mountains and mountain chains cannot be
satisfactorily carried out apart from the study of the causes
which originally produced the grand irregularities of surface,
which primarily determined the original areas of continents
and oceans.
In offering any opinion of my own upon the merits or
defects of the rival hypotheses assumed by so many eminent
physicists to account for elevation and subsidence, I hope it
will be conceded that I do so with much diffidence ; for where
so many eminent men fail to be satisfied with each other's
views on a subject which necessarily rest so largely on
arbitrary values for unknown data, it is obvious that any
view which I may tend to favour must in my own mind be
attended with a large measure of doubt, and on some obscure
points my judgment may be suspended entirely. As a novel
theory, however, has recently been referred to by Mr. F.
Danvers-Power, relating to the elevation of mountain chains, it
may be of some interest at this time to enter more fully into the
consideration of those hypotheses of causation which have
gained the most favour among physicists and geologists.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Johnston, Robert Mackenzie
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page