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Clarence Edward Dutton
(15 May 1841 - 4 Jan 1912)
American geologist who was the first head of the USGS division of volcanic geology (1887). He coined the term isostasy for his explanation that continents rise higher on the Earth's surface by virtue of their less dense crustal rock
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Science Quotes by Clarence Edward Dutton (4 quotes)
Each volcano is an independent machine—nay, each vent and monticule is for the time being engaged in its own peculiar business, cooking as it were its special dish, which in due time is to be separately served. We have instances of vents within hailing distance of each other pouring out totally different kinds of lava, neither sympathizing with the other in any discernible manner nor influencing other in any appreciable degree.
— Clarence Edward Dutton
In Report on the Geology of the High Plateaus of Utah (1880), 115.
Germs of a theory, though in their present condition they are vague and formless … may be said to resemble stones in the quarry, rough and unhewn, but which may some time become corner-stones, columns, and entablatures in the future edifice.
— Clarence Edward Dutton
In Report on the Geology of the High Plateaus of Utah (1880), 114.
The origin of volcanic energy is one of the blankest mysteries of science, and it is strange indeed, that a class of phenomena so long familiar to the human race and so zealously studied through all the ages should be so utterly without explanation. (1880)
— Clarence Edward Dutton
In Report on the Geology of the High Plateaus of Utah (1880), 113.
Volcanic eruptions are very local phenomena. At any given epoch they are confined to a few localities of very small relative extent.
— Clarence Edward Dutton
In Report on the Geology of the High Plateaus of Utah (1880), 115.
See also:
- 15 May - short biography, births, deaths and events on date of Dutton's birth.
- Tertiary History of the Grand Canyon District, by Clarence Edward Dutton. - book suggestion.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
