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Highland Geological Society
Elgol, Glen Scaladal - Photo by Andy Leggatt
Ardnamurchan Lighthouse - Photo by Andy Moffat
Galdrings Tertiary dyke (L) and Carboniferous dyke (R) - Photo by David Rae
Barmore Loch Tay lst Boudin NR 86690 71280 at 195 - Photo by David Rae
Dutchman’s Cap, Mull - Photo by Andy Moffat
Torvean, Inverness - Photo by Andy Leggatt
Tarbat Ness - Photo by Andy Leggatt
Isle of Staffa - Photo by Andy Moffat
Ob Lusa to Ardnish Coast, Isle of Skye - Photo by Andy Leggatt

Roderick Murchison

Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, 1792 - 1871

Roderick Murchison was born at Tarradale House, Muir of Ord on 19 February 1792. After serving in the Peninsular War he married Charlotte Hugonin, who was a geologist. The Murchisons moved to London where Roderick joined The Geological Society of London, eventually becoming president. He carried out field work in Scotland, England, Europe and Russia, becoming Director-General of the British Geological Survey.

 


(Image: Title: Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, 1792 - 1871. Geologist, Artists: William Walker (1791 - 1867), National Galleries of Scotland, Accession number: SP VI 91.2)

The Silurian System

 

Murchison established the Silurian System of rocks following extensive field work in Wales.

 

(images: Murchison, R. (1839) The Silurian System Founded on Geological Researches, London, John Murray)

Murchison and Charles Sedgwick disagreed about the boundary between the Cambrian and Silurian systems. The geological map overseen by Murchison shows a very extensive Silurian. Charles Lapworth resolved the dispute by introducing the Ordivician system between the Cambrian and Silurian.

image: Geological map of England and Wales. Published under the superintendence of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. 1843. Arranged by Roderick Impey Murchison ... S.P. Woodward del. Col(oure)d. by T. Malby. J. & C. Walker sculpt. Published by Chapman & Hall 186 Strand Decr. 15th. 1843. (1844)

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