I. Lord Kelvin Urged Geologists to Accept Limitations Set by Physics on the Earth's Age.

This article originally appeared in the June 1974 Acts & Facts. Please note that new discoveries in this area may have been made since that time.

From where did the earth come? By what process was it constructed? Did an ever-seeing Intelligence plan and direct the creation of our planet? Or, did the earth evolve by unguided chance processes without an overseeing plan? A person's answers to the above questions will significantly affect his personal viewpoint regarding the origin, purpose, and destiny of both the earth and man.

One of man's most vexing problems today is the conflict between energy and ecology, between conservation of jobs and conservation of nature. The need for expanded energy sources and more goods and services for mankind seems completely at cross-purposes with the maintenance of an unpolluted environment.

Historical geology is the field of study which seeks to decipher the clues and records bearing on the earth's history. Since the historical geologist cannot observe the history he attempts to interpret (he cannot relive ancient times), scientific methods involving repeatable observation and experimentation cannot be utilized.