Hutton

[ huht-n ]

noun

1. James, 1726–97, Scottish geologist: formulated uniformitarianism.

Hutton

/ ˈhʌtən /

noun

1. HuttonJames17261797MScottishSCIENCE: geologist James. 1726–97, Scottish geologist, regarded as the founder of modern geology
2. HuttonSir Leonard19161990MEnglishSPORT AND GAMES: cricketer Sir Leonard, known as Len Hutton . 1916–90, English cricketer; the first professional captain of England (1953)

Hutton

/ hŭt′n /

1. Scottish geologist whose theories of rock and land formation laid the foundation for modern geology. He showed that, over long periods of time, the erosion of rocks produces sediments, which are transported by water, ice, and air to locations at or near sea level. These sediments eventually become solidified into other rocks.

Biography

The father of modern geology did not start out as a geologist. He first apprenticed with a lawyer and then earned a degree in medicine. But after he inherited some land, he decided to devote himself to agriculture, and this led him to think about the origin of soil and its relation to the rest of the landscape, especially the rocks. Based upon his observations, he concluded that old rocks are pushed upwards to become mountains, that new rocks form from the emergence and solidification of lava, and that the driving energy for both of these processes must be the Earth's internal heat. He also concluded that soil forms from rocks through the long process of weathering. In this way Hutton developed the idea that the soil, the rocks, and the landscape were all connected in a single process, which he called Plutonism, in honor of Pluto, the Greek god of the underworld. Hutton realized that the cycle of uplift and erosion required a long time and that the Earth must therefore be much older than a few thousand years, as was widely believed at the time. But it was not until the twentieth century that Hutton's theory was proven correct when geologists, using a technique called radiometric dating, demonstrated that the Earth is in fact more than four billion years old.

Example Sentences

Graham Hutton, general secretary for the SLS and a former head teacher in Dundee, told the inquiry that pupil behaviour and attendance problems had been one of the "hidden consequences" of the pandemic.

From BBC

Guy Hutton, the farm owner's son, said Ms Morris was found lying injured far away from the designated footpath, and he assisted with efforts to save her.

From BBC

The inquest heard farmer Guy Hutton and other residents gave her CPR before emergency services arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

From BBC

Hutton had previously been convicted of offences under the Terrorism Act and arrested last November.

From BBC

A team from the James Hutton Institute has been testing varieties which are resistant to PCN while retaining their taste.

From BBC