Quaternary International 372 (2015) 45e50
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Charles Lyell and the loess deposits of the Rhine valley Ian Smalley a, *, Tivadar Gaudenyi b, Mladen Jovanovic c a
Giotto Loess Research Group, Geography Department, Leicester University, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK Geographical Institute ‘Jovan Cvijic’, Serbian Academy of Science and Arts, Djure jaskica 9, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia c Geography Department, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia b
a r t i c l e i n f o
a b s t r a c t
Article history: Available online 14 October 2014
The study of loess began in the Rhine valley, and Charles Lyell played a major role in this development. He included a section on loess in the ‘Principles of Geology’ (in 1833) and with the widespread distribution of this important book loess became known. His views on loess changed as successive editions were produced and his first proposal, that loess was produced by a sudden flood changed, after discussion with H.G. Bronn, to a concept of gradual deposition. He had some interaction with Samuel Hibbert and this helped to shape his views on loess. The first published reference to loess in English was probably in Hibbert's 1832 book on the Neuwied volcanoes. By the time of the 5th edition of the Principles in 1837 Lyell was acknowledging eleven fellow scholars who had influenced his loessic endeavours, they were: Bronn, Leonhard, Boue, Voltz, Noeggerath, Steininger, Merian, Rozet, Von Meyer, Hibbert and Horner. The most influential of his associates were probably Bronn, Leonhard, Hibbert and Horner, although Horner only joined the list in 1837. Lyell may have observed loess on a brief visit to the Eifel region in July 1831; talking with Hibbert later that year there was certainly discussion of the ‘Loess from Kruft to Andernach’.
Keywords: Loess Charles Lyell Rhine valley Samuel Hibbert Loess formation
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“In an excursion through part of the Duchy of Darmstadt by Mayence[Mainz], Oppenheim, Alzey, Florheim, Eppelsheim and Worms, I found the loess spread almost everywhere.” Charles Lyell 1834
1. Introduction On 5 September 1831, Charles Lyell visited Samuel Hibbert at his house in Edinburgh. He went to talk about the Eifel region where Hibbert had worked for six months with his wife Charlotte; work which would lead to the book on Neuwied volcanoes (Hibbert, 1832). Lyell recorded the visit and his subsequent thoughts in the journal which he was keeping for Mary Horner (whom he would marry in 1832): Kinnordy 8 September 1831:[ the Hibberts spent much time mapping the Eifel region] “Never having heard of that beautiful map which Von Oeyenhausen lent me, they lost much time in constructing a map, which Hibbert did trigonometrically. They
* Corresponding author. E-mail addresses:
[email protected],
[email protected] (I. Smalley), t.gaudenyi@gi. sanu.ac.rs (T. Gaudenyi),
[email protected] (M. Jovanovic). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2014.08.047 1040-6182/© 2014 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.
have really collected both rocks and shells, and worked and sketched to great effect. In the ‘loess’ descending from Kruft to Andernach, they found a vast number of land shells, which seem to indicate a modern date to that formation”. (see Lyell, 1881, p.333). “The loess from Kruft to Andernach” deserves a place in the history of loess investigation. Here is one of the first appearances of ‘loess’ in English-not to be published until 1881 but read by Mary Horner in 1831. In 1831 not many people were writing or talking about loess in English; not many people were writing or talking about loess in German, but there were conversations in the Rhine valley region, and loess science was spreading from the lecture rooms and laboratories of Professors Bronn and Von Leonhard in Heidelberg. His great book the ‘Principles of Geology’(Lyell, 1830e1833) was to make Lyell famous; he quickly became the president of the Geological Society and was suitably feted and honoured (Fig. 1). He obviously took a real interest in loess, which peaked perhaps in the mid-1830s. He only published one major paper on loess (Lyell, 1834) but the continued appearance of the loess section in Principles meant that he had a lasting influence. After the 5th edition, there was more of an emphasis on very fundamental questions but the spreading and circulation of the earlier editions ensured that loess became universally known.
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outlined by Smalley et al (1973) and the general interaction of rivers and loess material was considered by Smalley et al. (2009). 3. The Principles of Geology
Fig. 1. Charles Lyell in 1836, by J.M.Wright (National Portrait Gallery London). At that time the current edition of the Principles was the 4th, published in 1835.
2. The Rhine loess There are loess deposits in many parts of the world, but in the Rhine region there was that happy coincidence of interesting deposits and interested investigators. There was also the happy coincidence of Charles Lyell arriving in Heidelberg on his honeymoon- and finding Bronn and Von Leonhard in residence there. It is no surprise that loess investigation begins in the Rhine region(see Jovanovic et al., 2014). The Rhine is a loess river (see Smalley et al., 2009) which means that the river played a critical role in the formation of the loess deposits. The deposits had a moment of fame via a passing mention in ‘The Origin of Species’ by Charles Darwin: “We have evidence in the loess of the Rhine of considerable changes of level in the land within a very recent geological period, and when the surface was peopled by existing land and fresh-water shells.” Charles Darwin 1859 Darwin's view of the Rhine loess would have been much influenced by the ideas of his friend Lyell. They were both very concerned with vertical movements of the land, and of course the relevant theory of loess deposit formation in 1859 was Lyell paradigm 2, gradual deposition from water. Fig. 2 is a sketch map of the distribution of the Rhine loess, taken from the loess map of Europe by Grahmann (1932). The association of the loess with the river is clearly shown. The region demarcated on the map is the area of the map from Bailey (1962 p.76) which indicates places associated with Lyell (Fig. 3). The material for the Rhine loess appears to originate in the Alps and be carried to the north by the river. It is then blown a short distance inland and forms the characteristic deposits. A sequence for the formation of the Rhine loess at Kaiserstuhl has been
In 1830 the first volume of the ‘Principles of Geology’ was published by John Murray in London (Lyell, 1830). This was the beginning of a long publishing saga; twelve editions of the Principles would be published in Lyell's lifetime and it encompassed a major part of the evolving debate on the nature of geology and the nature of the forces shaping the earth. This was a major work and it tends to be discussed in relation to its effect on geological development (see Bailey, 1962; Wilson, 1972; Secord, 1997), but in its pages, as a sort of minor theme, is some material relevant to the development of studies on loess. The publication of volume one would turn out to be one of the great bibliographical moments in geology, overseen by John Murray who would oversee another great moment in 1859 when he published the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. Volume One was the geology book taken by Darwin with him on the voyage of the Beagle (and Volume Two reached him in Rio de Janeiro). Vol.1 was published in January 1830, and vol.2 followed in January 1832. A second edition of vol.1 appeared in 1832, and then in January 1833 a second edition of vol.2. The first edition was completed with the publication of vol.3 in May 1833, and now the loess story begins. Lyell went to Bonn in 1832 to marry Mary Horner and they went on to Heidelberg where H.G.Bronn and Karl Caesar von Leonhard were on hand to demonstrate the loess. Lyell must have been aware of loess from his conversations with Hibbert but it seems possible/likely that his first proper look at the material was during this 1832 visit to Heidelberg. He writes to his sister Eleanor: “Next day, the 19th[July 1832], to Carlsruhe, making a delightful detour on the road, up a small valley leading from the plain up into the Odenwald hills, where I went to see a singular deposit, called ‘loess’ provincially, filled with recent species of land shells, and which is peculiar to the Rhine valley, found at Bonn, Strasburg, and hundreds of intermediate places.” Vol.3 was being prepared at this time and it proved possible to insert a section on loess (chapter 11, p.151e3). Vol.3 is dedicated to Roderick Impey Murchison and in the preface Lyell makes a brief mention of his encounter with the loess: “In the summer of 1831 I made a geological excursion to the volcanic district of the Eifel, and on my return I determined to extend my work to three volumes, the second of which appeared in January 1832. The last volume has been delayed till now by many interruptions, among which I may mention a tour, in the summer of 1832, up the valley of the Rhine, when I examined the loess (vol.iii, p.151) …” The 1832 Rhine valley visit provides the material for the loess section in vol.3. Lyell describes the loess and offers the opinion that it was deposited, suddenly, from a flood. Vol.3 was published in May 1833, and that completed the first edition. The loess occupied a few pages in the discussion of the newer Pliocene formations towards the end of vol.3, but because of the great success and large distribution of the book this was sufficient to carry news of loess around the world. It might be argued that it set the first paradigm for loess deposit formation: sudden deposition from a large flood. “If we could suppose the waters of a great lake like that of Constance[Bodensee] to have been suddenly let free by an
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Fig. 2. A part of the map of loess deposits in Europe by Grahmann (1932). The Rhine deposits are clearly shown and the relation to the river is apparent. The demarcated zone is the area covered by the map of Bailey (1962) showing places associated with Charles Lyell.
earthquake, and in their descent into the valley of the Rhine to have intersected such strata, we might imagine the waters to have become densely charged with loam, with which they may have parted as soon as their velocity was diminished by spreading over a wider space.” Lyell(1833, p.153) In May 1834 the 3rd.edition was published, in four volumes. There are indications that Lyell's views on loess were evolving quickly, and he made significant changes to the loess section in the 3rd.edition. He wrote to Hibbert from London on 17 April 1834 to get some last minute reassurance: “I must send the last chapter of my third volume to press in about six days, so you would much oblige me by an early reply. I have seen much of the loess, since I saw you, both in the Neuwied district and in Wurttenberg and in Bavaria, and you will see that I have greatly modified my views, especially in so
far that I now agree with you that some violent eruption occurred during and since the period of the deposit of the loess.” So in the 4th.edition there is a revised view of loess deposition. It is from the 4th.edition that the Loess Letter extract was reprinted (Lyell, 1986). He listed a set of fellow loess scholars which also evolved during the succession of editions. In 1833, he was acknowledging Leonhard, Bronn, Boue, Voltz, Steininger, Merian, Rozet and Hibbert. In 1834, for the 4th edition, the list expanded slightly to include Noeggerath and Von Meyer. These constituted ‘Lyell's Loess Legion’, discussed by Jovanovic et al. (2014). In 1837, for the 5th edition, Horner was appended. The four major influences were probably Leonhard, Bronn, Hibbert, and Horner. Horner (1836) makes an appearance in the loess discussion largely via his 1836 paper. This paper, although published in 1836, had been presented at the Geological Society in London in 1833, not long before Lyell (1834) presented his major loess paper: 1834 was an important year, and in his paper to the Geological Society, he
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Fig. 3. An augmented version of the map in Bailey (1962) showing places associated with Lyell. Key to the additions: A Andernach, E Elz, F Freiburg, H Heidelberg, K Kruft, Ka Karlsruhe, Ks Kaiserstuhl, L Limburg, M Mainz(Mayence), N Neuwied, S Strasburg, W Worms.
acknowledged his debt to Bronn for changing his mind about the mechanism of loess deposition: “At Heidelberg Professor Bronn, who has devoted much time to the study of the loess, told me that he is persuaded that the loess was not formed suddenly by a transient flood, but gradually by successive deposition.”
without the Mannheim gate of Heidelberg, loess is seen interstratified with gravel; and here more than one bed containing land and fresh-water shells rests upon, and is covered by, a stratum of gravel, showing the effects of successive accumulation.” Lyell (1835), see Lyell (1986).
Lyell (1834). (this becomes Lyell paradigm 2)And this change of view was incorporated into the Principles in the 4th edition: “As the pure loess exhibits no divisions into strata, I at first imagined, with several other geologists, that this deposit was thrown down suddenly from the muddy waters of a transient flood … But on re-examining the places where loess and alluvium, or loess and layers of volcanic matter alternate, I am compelled to renounce this view. In the deep gravel pits
Lyell provided few illustrations of loess; three examples from Lyell (1834) are shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 shows loess and gravel near Bonn. These three figures have been redrawn and in Fig. 5 the vertical scale is exaggerated, which appears to be an improvement on the originals. 4. Samuel Hibbert [1782e1848](Fig. 6) Hibbert (1832) is a book on volcanos(sic); it is probably the first work to describe loess in English. Hibbert deserves some attention,
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The Loess … has been described by M.Von Leonhard as consisting of fine pulverulent particles connected together in a loose friable mass; or as a loamy substance, of a dirty yellowish grey colour, and in its fracture earthy, being a mixture of particles of argillaceous, calcareous, and quartzose matter, in which are interspersed minute scales of mica.” Hibbert (1832 p.185).
Fig. 4. A loess occurrence near Bonn. Redrawn from Lyell (1834, Fig. 1). This is loess in the gravel on the left bank of the Rhine about 1.5 km above Bonn. This figure is a compromise between the Lyell sketch and the requirements of modern clarity. See Smalley (1975, p.113) for original figure.
and a better presentation in the history of loess investigation. Hibbert was much impressed by Von Leonhard and provides an extensive appreciation of, and dedication to him. Hibbert's view of loess is taken straight from Leonhard (1824) and the text by Hibbert reads like a direct translation from the loess section of the Von Leonhard book. So Hibbert had knowledge and some appreciation of loess, which he doubtless displayed in his conversations with Lyell in 1831, after both had visited the Eifel region. Lyell recorded conversations about loess but shows no real appreciation of the material until the fateful trip to Heidelberg in 1832. The place of Hibbert in loess investigation has been considered by Jovanovic et al. (2014) and they also provide much background about the role of Karl Caesar von Leonhard. “The latest tertiary deposit which appears to have characterized the valley from Mayence[Mainz] to Basle has been properly considered by M.Boue as the product of a great fresh water sea that filled the whole basin of the Upper Rhine. It has been described under various names, of which the one most adopted is that of Loess …
These are Von Leonhard's words rendered into English by Hibbert. This really is the critical part of Leonhard (1824) making its appearance in English. From Leonhard (1824) to Hibbert (1832) there is a direct connection. The next key loessic connection could be from Hibbert to Lyell. Hibbert acknowledged some associates in his volcano book; he mentioned Sir Humphry Davy, Dr MacCulloch, Dr Daubeny, Mr Scrope, and Professor Lyell. It is interesting that he refers to Lyell as Professor Lyell; his major conversations with Lyell were in and around 1831 and Lyell was only a professor (at Kings College London) for two years from 1831 to 1833. Fairly late in his life Hibbert changed his surname to HibbertWare, which has caused a few bibliographical confusions. A memoir was published (Hibbert-Ware, 1882) and from this Fig. 6 is taken; this is the mature Hibbert. 5. Changing views From sudden flood to gentle sedimentation; Lyell's first idea about the formation of loess deposits was formed very hastily, and published in vol.3 of Principles, but he quickly revised this idea of sudden flood deposition to gradual sedimentation. Sudden flood might be called Paradigm 1, to be quickly replaced by Paradigm 2, which stays in place for many years. In as much as there was an accepted paradigm for loess deposit formation from say 1835 to about 1885 it is Lyell's paradigm 2. After 1885 the concept of aeolian deposition of material to form loess deposits quickly took hold and formed Paradigm 3- the accepted view in 2014, although Paradigm 4, the ‘Soil’ theory of loess deposit formation was visible for some years in the 20th Century. The Soil theory of loess formation, always associated with L.S.Berg in Russia, was a conceptual departure from the ‘geological’ approach which had been initiated by Lyell. Berg was much influenced by the classical pedological ideas of Dokuchaev-the soil grew from below; there was an inevitable clash with the conventional geological world of Lyell in which loess was delivered from above (see Smalley et al., 2006, 2010 for discussion). Lyell established the geological approach to the study of loess, which has remained predominant. 6. Discussion The voyage to the Eifel region in 1831 requires some discussion. Lyell certainly went there because of his interest in volcanoes, which might have been fanned by his communications with Poulet Scrope. There is some confusion in the record about the duration of the Lyell visit and it is not clear what he saw and who he communicated with. He wrote to John Fleming(1785e1857 Edinburgh naturalist, DD FRSE FRS) about the Eifel excursion: London August 29 1831.
Fig. 5. Figures from Lyell(1834). These have been redrawn with considerable vertical exaggeration, which increases the clarity. The locations are marked on Fig. 3. In upper figure b is Miocene, a is the schist of the Taunus. In the lower diagram a is loess with snails, b is beds of quartz pebbles.
“My dear Dr.Fleming,- I was very glad to hear from you, on my return from a tour of four or five weeks to the Eifel, that tract between the Rhine and Moselle, in which abundance of extinct volcanos have burst through a country which is composed of strata much like the Sidlaw(where it is free from trap), the same sandstone and shale, and similar fucoidal plants, connected in
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Edinburgh on 4 September he went to dine at the house of Mr.Macbean, the Horner's family solicitor. Next morning he was invited by Macbean to breakfast with Henry Cockburn, solicitor general of Scotland.” Cockburn arrived at 8.30 am; by noon Lyell was on the move, heading for the Hibberts to talk about the ‘Loess from Kruft to Andernach’ and Hibbert's volcanic observations. Wilson (p.319) discusses at some length Lyell's interactions with Cockburn, but does not mention Hibbert at all. Hibbert is neglected in general: he does not appear in the Wilson index, but then neither does loess. However, on 5 September 1831 it is certain that Charles Lyell and Samuel Hibbert and Charlotte Hibbert talked about loess. Lyell's next conversations about loess were probably those with Bronn and Von Leonhard in July 1832, and after that the conversation was universal and continuous.
References
Fig. 6. Samuel Hibbert. The mature Hibbert as pictured in the frontispiece of HibbertWare(1882). It is difficult to find an adequate picture of Hibbert.
some few parts with trilobite limestone, and with genuine old coal”. Lyell (1881 p.328) This letter is in the collected letters edited by K.M.Lyell (1881) and she introduced it by stating that “Mr.Lyell made a tour of some weeks during the summer of 1831 to the Eifel, a volcanic district between the Rhine and Moselle rivers”. (Lyell, 1881 p.315). She had been misled by the Fleming letter, from which a key word had been omitted, probably by the hasty Lyell as he penned it. It should read “I was very glad to hear from you, on my return from a tour of four or five weeks [ago] to the Eifel,..” The tour was towards the end of July 1831 and lasted for six days; Wilson (1972 p.315) has described some activity at around this important time: “On 12 July Lyell made his proposal to Mary Horner and was accepted.. Lyell spent a number of days going on walks with Mary.. and then made his six days tour of the Eiffel. On 27 July he was back at Godesborg..” Four weeks after that he was writing to Fleming. Wilson (1972 p.319) has some interesting observations on another critical month, September 1831: “On the first of September, he left by steamer for Edinburgh for his long awaited holiday at Kinnordy[the Lyell family house]. At
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