VI.—Second Note on the Expansion Theory of Mountain Evolution

Extract

In a note published four years ago,¹ I pointed out a fundamental objection to the principle of the expansion theory. That objection has been clearly expressed as follows by Prof. Leconte,² who, like myself, considers it fatal to the theory: “Sedimentation cannot, of course, increase the sum of heat in the earth. Therefore the increased heat of the sediments by rise of isogeotherms, must be taken from somewhere else. Is it taken from below? Then the radius [or rather crust] below must contract as much as the sediments expand, and therefore there will be no elevation. Is it taken from the containing sides? Then the sides must lose as much as the sediments gain, and therefore must contract and make room for the lateral expansion, and therefore there would be no folding and no elevation.”