Whose work first explained volcanic lava as molten rock from Earth’s interior?
Quick Answer
James Hutton pioneered the idea that Earth's interior heat drives volcanism in the late 18th century. He helped establish the modern view of volcanoes as natural geological processes.
The Full Story
Scottish geologist James Hutton argued in the late 1700s that Earth's interior heat powers geological processes, including volcanism. At a time when many people linked volcanoes to more mysterious ideas, Hutton treated them as part of a natural rock cycle. His work laid the groundwork for modern geology by showing that Earth's surface is shaped over immense time. This perspective made volcanoes understandable as molten material rising from deep within the planet. Hutton is often called the father of modern geology.
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"The man who turned volcanoes from mystery into science."