James Hutton, author of Theory of the Earth (1785), studied the stratification of rocks and concluded that

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James Hutton, the author of Theory of the Earth (1785), studied the stratification of rocks and concluded that our planet is permanently in a cycle of constant renewal. His theory included the constant erosion of the exposed soil and the rocks due to the elements of nature. New sediments that resulted from this process finally turned into solid forms due to the pressure and the heat of the earth.

Hames Hutton (1726-1797) was a scientist from Scottland, considered by many specialists as the founder of the father of modern Geography. He was a firm believer that by observing the cycles of erosion of the elements of earth, you could understand its history.