Geological Observations on South AmericaDarwin, Charles
Science
Geological Observations on South America
Darwin, Charles
Beagle Expedition (1831-1836); Geology -- South America; Mollusks, Fossil -- South America; Paleontology
19 degrees S., and let an axis
of elevation traverse it in an E. 28 degrees S. line, what will the
position of the laminae be on the northern flank after a tilt, we will
first suppose, of 45 degrees? Mr. Hopkins informs me, that the angle of
the dip will be 28 degrees 31 minutes, and its direction to north 30
degrees 33 minutes west. (On the south side of the axis (where,
however, I did not see any mica-slate) the dip of the folia would be at
an angle of 77 degrees 55 minutes, directed to west 35 degrees 33
minutes south. Hence the two points of dip on the opposite sides of the
range, instead of being as in ordinary cases directly opposed to each
other at an angle of 180 degrees, would here be only 86 degrees 50
minutes apart.) By varying the supposed angle of the tilt, our
previously inclined folia can be thrown into any angle between 26
degrees, which is the least possible angle, and 90 degrees; but if a
small inclination be thus given to them, their point of dip will depart
far from the north, and therefore not accord with the actual position
of the folia of mica-schist on our granitic range. Hence it appears
very difficult, without varying considerably the elements of the
problem, thus to explain the anomalous strike and dip of the foliated
mica- schist, especially in those parts, namely, at the base of the
range, where the folia are almost horizontal. Mr. Hopkins, however,
adds, that great irregularities and lateral thrusts might be expected
in every great line of elevation, and that these would account for
considerable deviations from the calculated results: considering that
the granitic axis, as shown by the veins, has indisputably been
injected after the perfect formation of the mica-slate, and considering
the uniformity of the strike of the folia throughout the rest of the
Archipelago, I cannot but still think that their anomalous position at
this one point is someway directly and mechanically related to the
intrusion of this W.N.W. and E.S.E. mountain-chain of granite.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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