Portal:Geology/Selected biography/archive

Niels Stenson (aka Nicolaus Steno) is credited with discovering and formulating the fundamental principles of geology and stratigraphy and also showed a eye for paleontology and anatomy.

The three principles of stratigraphy he formulated were:


 * Principle of superposition: that in a series of layers of rock made of sediment (sedimentary rock), the older rock layers are under the newer/younger layers.
 * Principle of original horizontality: rock layers are formed originally in a horizontal position, and go out of that shape due to disturbances later on.
 * Principle of lateral continuity: rock layers are spread out continuously unless a barrier stops it, or further changes in landscape break those sediment layers apart.

His principles assumed an original fluid state of rock and minerals, a theory which was aided by his knowledge of the biblical flood.

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