On the so-called Walter's law in the formation of layered sedimentary deposits and its Russian prehistory
Abstract
In the history of science, there are many examples where the most important scientific achievements of Russian scientists did not receive sufficient recognition, and the priority for them was attributed to foreigners much later. Very characteristic in this respect is the situation we now have in geology with one very important principle that underlies the correct understanding of the formation of layered sedimentary sequences and the causes of their most important property—stratification. This principle became widely known in the geological literature as the so-called Walther's law. Without intending to deny the great significance of the work of J. Walther in developing questions of stratification and facies, as well as his interesting ideas about the migration and change of fauna depending on the latter, we consider it necessary, on the basis of our special research, to note that these fundamental propositions, which came to be called Walther's law, were by no means first established by J. Walther. The priority for their establishment and development belongs to one of the original and talented Russian geologists—N. A. Golovkinsky. N. A. Golovkinsky and A. A. Inostrantsev are the creators of two opposing concepts in the theory of the formation of layered structure. The essence of these concepts is preserved in all modern views, determining the development of ideas on the formation of layered structure. This development occurs in the struggle between these two concepts and leads to the development of a unified theory of this complex process, in which the concept of N. A. Golovkinsky emerges as the foundation.
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