Abraham Gottlob Werner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abraham Gottlob Werner
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| Born | 25 September 1749 |
| Died | 30 June 1817 (aged 67) |
| Nationality | German |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geology |
| Institutions | Freiberg Academy of Mining |
| Doctoral advisor | Johann Carl Gehler |
| Notable students | Christian Samuel Weiss Christian Leopold von Buch Friedrich Mohs Henrik Steffens Gotthilf Heinrich von Schubert Franz von Baader Alexander von Humboldt |
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Abraham Gottlob Werner (born September 25, 1749 – died June 30, 1817) was a German geologist. He created an early idea about how the Earth's crust is made of layers, called stratification. He also proposed a history of the Earth known as Neptunism.
Even though many of his ideas were later changed, Werner is remembered for showing how rocks form in a specific order over time. He was also known for inspiring his students and for helping geology become a more important subject. People often call him the "father of German geology."
Contents
Life of a Geologist
Werner was born in a village called Wehrau. This area is now part of Poland. His family had worked in mining for many years. His father was a foreman at a metal factory.
Werner studied law and mining in Freiberg and Leipzig. In 1775, he became an inspector and teacher. He taught mining and Mineralogy at the Freiberg Mining Academy. This school was small but very important.
While studying, Werner became interested in identifying and classifying minerals. Within a year, he wrote the first modern textbook on describing minerals. It was called Von den äusserlichen Kennzeichen der Fossilien (which means On the External Characters of Fossils [or of Minerals]).
Werner did not publish many books during his career. However, he was famous as a teacher all over Europe. Students came from everywhere to learn from him. They became his followers and shared his ideas in their home countries. Some of his famous students included Robert Jameson and Alexander von Humboldt. Werner taught in a way that made students excited about geology. He helped them see how different parts of geology were connected.
Werner was often sick throughout his life. He lived a quiet life near Freiberg. When he was young, he loved collecting minerals. But later in life, he stopped doing fieldwork. There is no proof that he ever traveled outside of Saxony. He died in Dresden from health problems. He is buried in a cemetery in Dresden. His grave is marked by a simple rock with his name on it.
In 1810, he was chosen as a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Werner's Theory of Earth's Layers
Werner built on older ideas about Earth's layers and how the Earth formed. He believed that the Earth's crust could be divided into five main types of rock formations:
- Primitive Series: These were the oldest rocks. Werner thought they were the first rocks to form from the ocean before land appeared.
- Transition Series: These rocks were harder limestones and other types of rocks. He believed they were the first orderly deposits from the ocean. He thought these layers were "universal" and found all over the world.
- Secondary or Stratified Series: These were layered rocks that often contained fossils. Werner thought they formed as mountains rose from the ocean. He believed they were made from eroded material deposited on the sides of these mountains.
- Alluvial or Tertiary Series: These were loose sands, gravels, and clays. Werner thought they formed as the oceans pulled back from the continents.
- Volcanic Series: These were younger lava flows from volcanoes. Werner believed these rocks were formed by local burning coal beds.
The main idea of Werner's geology was that a huge ocean once covered the entire Earth. This ocean slowly pulled back to its current level. As it receded, it deposited almost all the rocks and minerals we see today. This idea, focusing on the ocean, led to the name "Neptunism." It became almost the same as Werner's teachings.
Because of this "universal ocean" idea, Werner believed in "universal formations." He thought these could be identified by their rock type and how they were layered. He created the term "geognosy." This means "knowledge of the Earth." It was a science based on recognizing the order and relationship of Earth's layers. Werner believed geognosy was based on facts, not just theories. His students tried to avoid guessing. Because of this, Werner's geognosy and Neptunism became very strict ideas.
In 1808, his former student Robert Jameson started the Wernerian Natural History Society. This group honored Werner and discussed many natural history topics. It was a strong supporter of Werner's view of the Earth.
Werner's Lasting Impact
Werner was a great lecturer, and students came from all over Europe to learn from him. His ideas led to many discussions, especially about how basalt rock formed. This was part of a big debate called the Neptunist-Plutonist controversy.
A type of mineral called wernerite is named after him. Werner is also known for creating the term "geognosy." This term describes the study of Earth's structure, both inside and out.
In 1805, he described a mineral called zoisite. He named it after Sigmund Zois, who sent him samples of it.
Werner's most important work was Von den äußerlichen Kennzeichen der Foßilien (1774). This book included a detailed color system he made for describing and classifying minerals. This color system was later updated and published in English in 1814. It was called Werner's Nomenclature of Colours, with Additions, arranged so as to render it useful to the Arts and Sciences.
The Werner Mountains in Antarctica and the Werner Range in Greenland are named after him.
Works
- Von den äusserlichen Kennzeichen der Fossilien (Leipzig, 1774)
- Kurze Klassifikation und Beschreibung der verschiedenen Gebirgsarten (Dresden, 1787)
- Neue Theorie über Entstehung der Gänge (Freiberg, 1791)
See also
In Spanish: Abraham Gottlob Werner para niños
