Darwin's Mistaken Theory: Glen Roy Terraces' Origin.

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 | Science | Evolutionary Biology |
Updated By: History Editorial Network (HEN)
Published:  | Updated:
3 min read

Charles Darwin, a prominent naturalist, journeyed to Scotland to examine the 'parallel roads' of Glen Roy. These geological formations intrigued him, and he initially hypothesized that they were marine-raised beaches. During his exploration, Darwin believed that these terraces were formed by the action of the sea, reflecting his early thoughts shaped by his experience with marine geology. Despite his extensive fieldwork and observations, Darwin's hypothesis about the marine origin of the Glen Roy terraces was later disproven. Other scientists provided evidence that these features were instead formed by glacial lakes during the Ice Age, with the 'roads' marking different stages in the lake's decline. This experience was a critical learning point in Darwin's scientific career, highlighting the importance of remaining open to new evidence and the iterative nature of scientific inquiry. It showcased Darwin's willingness to challenge and refine his own theories based on new data, an ethos that would underlie his later work, including his contributions to evolutionary biology. #CharlesDarwin #Geology #ScientificInquiry #MoofLife
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