NEPTUNIST Meaning and
Definition
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A Neptunist refers to an adherent or follower of the Neptunism theory, which was a scientific hypothesis prevalent in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Neptunism proposed that all rocks, minerals, and landforms were formed through the gradual precipitations of minerals from a primordial oceanic origin. The name "Neptunist" is derived from the Roman god Neptune, who in mythology was the ruler of the sea and water bodies.
Neptunists believed that the geological features of the Earth, such as mountains, valleys, and even entire continents, were created as sediments settled and compacted over millions of years. They posited that when the primordial ocean gradually receded, the sedimentary rocks were formed, and eventually, through natural processes, were uplifted and emerged above the water's surface. Consequently, Neptunism rejected the possibility of volcanic or igneous activity in geological formations, attributing everything to sedimentation.
The Neptunism theory was a prominent rival to the Plutonism theory, which advocated that geological formations were primarily caused by volcanic or igneous processes. Throughout the centuries, these two theories engaged in heated debates and rivalries. Ultimately, Neptunism was largely discredited and superseded by the emergence of the modern science of geology, which incorporated various aspects of both Neptunism and Plutonism theories. Despite its ultimate obsolescence, the term "Neptunist" remains relevant in historical discussions regarding early geological theories and serves as a reminder of the evolution of scientific thought in understanding the Earth's geological history.
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One who supports the neptunian theory.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for NEPTUNIST
- beptunist
- meptunist
- jeptunist
- heptunist
- nwptunist
- nsptunist
- ndptunist
- nrptunist
- n4ptunist
- n3ptunist
- neotunist
- neltunist
- ne-tunist
- ne0tunist
- neprunist
- nepfunist
- nepgunist
- nepyunist
- nep6unist
- nep5unist
Etymology of NEPTUNIST
The word "Neptunist" is derived from the Roman god of the sea, Neptune (or Poseidon in Greek mythology). It is a term used in geology to describe adherents of the Neptunist theory, which was a predominant geological theory in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The theory proposed that all rocks were formed from a universal ocean, with the deposition of sediment as the primary mechanism for their formation. The term was coined by the German geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner, who was a proponent of this theory.
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