Principles of Chemical Geology: a Review of the Application of the Equilibrium Theory to Geological Problems

Abstract

ALTHOUGH it is generally recognised that the new physical chemistry has far-reaching applications in geology, no less than in other branches of science, little has yet been done to bring this home directly, either to the working geologist or to the student. In Van 't Hoff's lectures on “Physical Chemistry in the Service of the Sciences,” the only geological application discussed is that relating to the crystallisation of salts from sea water. The results of the chemist's beautiful investigation of this one problem are the first-fruits of work on these lines, and they serve to show how wide a field still remains to be harvested. Vogt and others have essayed to apply the laws of solutions to igneous rock-magmas, but in this much more difficult problem no more than a beginning can yet be recorded. Meanwhile, we suffer from that want of touch between workers in different branches of science which is one of the less happy consequences of specialisation. The chemist has, in most cases, little acquaintance with geological questions, while the geologist, of the older generation at least, has not usually a working knowledge of physical chemistry, or at best is unfamiliar with the specific results, which have been obtained.

Principles of Chemical Geology: a Review of the Application of the Equilibrium Theory to Geological Problems.

By Dr. J. V. Elsden. Pp. viii + 222. (London: Whittaker and Co., 1910.) Price 5s. net.