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
In this southern part of the southern hemisphere, we have seen that the
cleavage-laminae range over wide areas with remarkable uniformity,
cutting straight through the planes of stratification, but yet being
parallel in strike to the main axes of elevation, and generally to the
outlines of the coast. (In my paper on the Falkland Islands “Geological
Journal” volume 3 page 267, I have given a curious case on the
authority of Captain Sulivan, R.N., of much folded beds of clay-slate,
in some of which the cleavage is perpendicular to the horizon, and in
others it is perpendicular to each curvature or fold of the bed: this
appears a new case.) The dip, however, is as variable, both in angle
and in direction (that is, sometimes being inclined to the one side and
sometimes to the directly opposite side), as the strike is uniform. In
all these respects there is a close agreement with the facts given by
Professor Sedgwick in his celebrated memoir in the “Geological
Transactions,” and by Sir R.I. Murchison in his various excellent
discussions on this subject. The Falkland Islands, and more especially
Tierra del Fuego, offer striking instances of the lines of cleavage,
the principle axes of elevation, and the outlines of the coast,
gradually changing together their courses. The direction which prevails
throughout Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands, namely, from west
with some northing to east with some southing, is also common to the
several ridges in Northern Patagonia and in the western parts of Banda
Oriental: in this latter province, in the Sierra Tapalguen, and in the
Western Falkland Island, the W. by N., or W.N.W. and E.S.E., ridges,
are crossed at right angles by others ranging N.N.E. and S.S.W.
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