Historical Perspectives of Geological Concepts from Biblical to Modern Times

The Earth, a part of solar planetary system behaves as a dynamic entity. The ancient Greeks' view of universe being governed by unchanging principles and their mythopoeic explanation of catastrophic earth movements were later contrasted with intelligible and discoverable natural laws. The Renaissance witnessed evolution of new concepts along with epistemological changes in geology. The serious attention to analytical approaches in the study of earth materials and importance of fossils as remains of creatures gave a concrete framework for the study of strata. With its subsequent application in mapping of geological units on regional scale, the movement took a definite shape in the following era with setting up of Geological Surveys. The modern methods of age determination of the Earth and the evolution of theories of geomorphology, in particular, provided a more rational and sound expression of the geological time i.e. long time span of earth. The geological ideas of twentieth century are based on twin waves of developments in science and technology, and the appreciation of some pattern of relationships and network or the synchronisation of major planetary events. The radiometric determination of the age of rocks and satellite imaging in geological mapping of the inaccessible areas were introduced. The new concepts in line with the systemic viewpoint, evolved into major branches of study-such as global plate tectonics and environmental geology. The paper outlines the journey of evolving paradigm of geological principles in the backdrop of the progress of time and dynamics of society. A few of the concepts are discussed as case studies to appreciate the driving forces of the history.