Current location - Trademark Inquiry Complete Network - Futures platform - Macro-theory of early geological survey in China
Macro-theory of early geological survey in China
Fengming Wu

(National Committee for Examination and Approval of Scientific and Technical Terminology)

I. Richthofen and his people

Ferdinand Paul William von Richthofen (1833 ~ 1905) is a famous German geographer and geologist. 1833 was born in Karlsruhe (present-day Poland), Baden-Wü rttemberg, Prussia. 1856 graduated from Berlin university, and studied the geological phenomena of Alps, Carpathians, dolomite and Transylvania in the early stage. Successfully established Triassic sequence in South Tyrol; 1860 was invited to visit Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Japan, Taiwan Province Province of China, the Philippines, Bangkok and Mahlman, Myanmar with the German economic mission. 1863 ~ 1868 went to California for geological survey and found gold deposits; At the same time, he has been engaged in the study of the genesis of granite, volcanic rock, dolomite and coral.

1860 and 1868, Richthofen visited China twice to investigate geography and geology. 1872 became famous after returning to Germany. He was once employed as a professor at universities such as Berlin University, Bonn University and Leipzig University, served as the president of Berlin University, was re-elected as the president of Berlin Geographical Society, was elected as the president of International Geographical Society, and was an academician of German and French Academy of Sciences.

1877 ~ 19 12 published the five-volume geological survey report of China, which became an important geological document in the early period of China.

Two, seven routes of two geological surveys in China.

From 1860 to 1862, Richthofen accompanied Prussia's "Expeditionary Mission" for geological investigation in East Asia, and arrived in Shanghai, China on 186 1 year. However, at that time, due to the restrictions of the Qing government, he was confined to Shanghai and actually failed to carry out any investigation activities.

1868, Richthofen got the financial support from the Bank of California and went to China again for on-the-spot geological investigation. Later, with the support of the Shanghai Foreign Chamber of Commerce, he carefully designed seven investigation routes, based in Shanghai, covering 1868 to 1872, covering the whole country 18 provinces (regions), and conducting geological investigations, ranging from Shenyang, Liaoning in the north, Chengdu, Sichuan in the west, and Guangzhou in the south (including

The condition for obtaining the funding from Shanghai Foreign Chamber of Commerce is to report the geographical and geological data obtained from the survey area to the Chamber of Commerce in time, including products, population, transportation, customs and socio-economic overview. Therefore, this also fully explains the purpose and background of Li's visit to China.

The seven routes visited by Li are as follows:

The first route:186811~ 65438+February. The main areas are Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Zhenjiang, Nanjing and other places, especially Zhoushan Islands.

The second route: 1869 to 65438+ 10, then go to Nanjing and Zhenjiang and transfer to Hubei (Wuchang and Hankou).

The third route: March 1869, half a year, mainly visited Shandong Tancheng, Linyi, Tai 'an, Jinan, Zhangqiu, Boshan, Weifang and Zhifu. 1877 submitted the special report "Shandong Geographical Environment and Mineral Resources", emphasizing Qingdao's superior geographical position and rendering the theory of JIAOZHOU Bay as a good port. After crossing the sea to Liaodong Peninsula, I have been to Wafangdian, Gaiping and Xiong Yue. After entering Dagushan, I arrived in Benxi and Shenyang. After Shanhaiguan, we visited Kaiping, Luanxian, Feng Run, Yutian and some coalfields. After re-entering Beijing and its western hills through Tongzhou for geological investigation and study, the paleostrata exposed at the south exit of Beijing were named Sinian system. After resting in Beijing, return to Shanghai.

The fourth route: depart from September 1869, mainly in Jiangxi (near Jiujiang and Jingdezhen), transfer to Tunxi, Anhui, then take a boat to Hangzhou via Xin 'anjiang and Qiantang River, and return to Shanghai.

The fifth route: from the end of 1869 to the beginning of 1870, from Shanghai to China and Hong Kong, to Guangzhou via Beijiang River to Yizhang and Chenzhou in Hunan, from Xiangjiang River and Dongting Lake to Hankou, to Luoyang in Henan, from Jincheng in Shanxi to Taiyuan and Yangquan in Shanxi, to Beijing via Zhengding in Hebei, and from Tianjin to Shanghai, with emphasis on coal resources in Shanxi and Shaanxi. During this inspection, around 1870, Li wrote from Beijing boasting that "China is the largest Carboniferous country in the world!" "The coal of a province in Shanxi can be consumed by the whole world for thousands of years!" And drew the first coal distribution map of China.

The sixth route: from June to August, 187 1, from Shanghai to Ningbo, into Tiantai Mountain to Jinhua, Tonglu and other counties, through Xishui County, into Tianmu Mountain, through Qianqiu Pass, to Ningguo, Jingxian County, Anhui Province, to Wuhu, and then to Zhenjiang by boat, and to and from Nanjing and Zhenjiang for detailed geological investigation and survey.

The seventh route: 187 1 September 2008 to1May 872, which is the longest of his seven routes. From Shanghai to Tianjin to Beijing, to Zhaitang and other places in Xishan, through Jiming Mountain and Xuanhua to Zhangjiakou, and then to Datong and Wutai Mountain, "Wutai greenstone schist" was discovered. Through Taiyuan, go south to Tongguan along Fenhe River Valley, and enter Shaanxi through xi 'an to Baoji. According to relevant documents, the mountain range on the southern edge of Hexi Corridor was named after Richthofen, which is a part of Qilian Mountain today. Richthofen praised Chengdu as one of the largest cities in China and the most beautiful and elegant city in Sichuan, and lamented the perfection of Dujiangyan irrigation method, which is unparalleled in the world. Later, it turned to Jiading (Leshan), crossed the Minjiang River, turned to the Yangtze River and returned to Shanghai. On the way, he inspected the Three Gorges area in detail and gained the most.

During the investigation of seven routes in Richthofen, a large number of field geological data were recorded, and a large number of fossils and rock samples were collected. The topographic map, schematic diagram, geological map and stratigraphic profile of the investigation area are drawn. During the intermission of inspection, make a timely report and report the observed site to foreign chambers of commerce as promised. 1903 the foreign chamber of commerce compiled Li's "report" into two volumes and named it "China Travel Report".

1872, Richthofen returned to Germany and was praised and appreciated by William II. His academic and social status rose to the peak, and he was famous all over the world.

China was published in three or five volumes.

With the support of the Prussian government, Richthofen devoted himself to sorting out and writing his monograph "Geographical and Geological Survey of China". From 1877 to 19 12, it took 35 years to complete the macro book China-Personal Travel and the research results based on it (China for short). The book consists of five volumes and two sets of geographical and geological atlas.

The first volume: published in 1877, written by myself, mainly focuses on the geographical overview of Central Asia and China, among which the historical geography of China is particularly rich and precious.

The second volume: published in 1882, edited by myself, mainly includes the natural, geological, mineral resources and socio-economic contents of this area, involving Liaoning, Shandong, Shanxi, Gansu, Shaanxi, Henan and other places.

This volume covers the richest content:

(1)/kloc-0 The Wutai chlorite schist discovered in Wutai Mountain in 872 laid the foundation for the establishment of the paleostratigraphic system of China-the Cambrian Wutai System (Ⅰ) and Hutuo System (Ⅱ).

(2) In1871,the term "Sinian system" was put forward, and a large group of carbonate-dominated strata from early Paleozoic to Proterozoic were named as Sinian system based on the outcropped strata in Beijing.

(3) Investigate Qilian Mountain in the southern edge of Hexi Corridor, and some of them are named after their own surnames. At the same time, it also points out the geographical location of Lop Nur and Loulan sites.

(4) The ancient road of Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions in Han Dynasty was called "Silk Road";

(5) During the investigation in North China and Northwest China, the "aeolian theory" of loess genesis was put forward.

(6) Many folds and faults were found in the survey, and overthrust structures were found in Qinling area. This volume is also attached with a structural map of northern China, which depicts a presumed "Xing 'an Line" fault structural line, from Xing 'an Mountain to Yichang via Taihang Mountain. It is also pointed out that there is an ancient "Sinian block" in the north, which is a geological structural unit with time relationship.

The third volume: published in 19 12, is the last volume of five volumes, edited by his student Dixon, when Richthofen had died for seven years. This volume contains Li's investigation records and materials in Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi. This volume describes igneous rocks in various places, such as ancient Koryo granite in Liaodong, Silurian granite in Tiantai Mountain, Qinling, Nanjing granite, andesite and basalt. Among them, Li has also selected areas that he has never been to, such as Guizhou and Tibet, and compiled them with the help of other people's information.

The fourth volume: published in 1883, mainly collects paleontological fossils collected in the investigation, and invites famous paleontologists of various categories to identify, describe and classify them, including F. Frech, E. Kayser, G. Lindstrom Rem and C. Schwager.

Volume V: Published in 19 1 1, also edited by Dyson.

Two atlases: the first volume was edited by Li himself in 1884 and published in 1885, including 12 geological and geographical map of northern China; The second volume, edited by Dr. M. Groll in 19 12, contains 15 geographical and geological maps belonging to southern China. Other people's documents and maps were also referenced in the compilation, and there were 160 kinds of officially published materials, which reflected the high understanding of China's geography and geology at that time.

Fourthly, the main content and significance of China.

Li's magnum opus fully reflects his achievements in China's physical geography, geology and mineral resources, human geography, including local conditions and customs, social and economic structure, etc., which was an important document for China people to know themselves and foreigners to know China at that time. Especially in the case that China's land geological survey is completely blank, his investigation and its results have far-reaching influence.

From the geological point of view, there are still the following points worthy of academic discussion:

First, in terms of mineral resources: Richthofen paid great attention to the mineral resources and their geographical distribution in China during his inspection, especially the description of coal resources was very detailed. According to experts' statistics, he described China coal mine as many as 150 times in his book, which led to the above exaggerated fallacy. He thought that Shanxi's coal reserves ranked first in the world, but he thought that Shanxi was rich in coal reserves, and the key was to solve the traffic problem so as to facilitate mining.

Secondly, stratigraphic paleontology: During the four-year investigation, Richthofen collected a large number of precious paleontological fossils, which were identified and studied by many paleontologists. Therefore, China is also a monograph on paleontology with rich contents, which laid the foundation of stratigraphic paleontology in China.

Richthofen discovered strongly metamorphic rocks in Wutai Mountain, which is considered to be the oldest stratigraphic series in China and called Wutai greenschist. Then he put forward the word "Sinian System", introduced the word "Sinian System" into the stratigraphic system on the basis of the "Sinian System Structural Line" put forward by Pang Peili, established the "Sinian System" and put forward the "Nankou System", and studied the paleostratigraphy of China. It is worth mentioning that after the founding of New China, Professor Wang Yuelun and Professor Gao Zhenxi made some corrections and supplements.

19 16 The Training Notes for Junior Students in Geological Institute edited by Zhang Heweng discussed Li's plan to divide Archean into ancient gneiss and new gneiss. It is still debatable that Li divided Archean into ancient gneiss and new gneiss, and cited gneiss from Liaoning and Shandong as ancient rock series, while amphibolite gneiss, chlorite gneiss and Kunlun gneiss from Hebei and Shanxi as ancient rock series.

Third, China's theory of aeolian loess, Li investigated and studied the extremely thick loess widely distributed in northwest and north China, and put forward the theory of aeolian loess and its concept earlier, which was all the rage at that time and had a considerable influence.

The origin of loess in China has been debated in academic circles for nearly a century. Since the end of 19, loess aeolian theory has been dominant. In 1950s, some China scholars put forward different viewpoints, including the causes of river alluvial, flood and soil formation. Through geomagnetic and thermoluminescence measurements, it is considered that it was formed by the accumulation of various geological forces and loess under similar climatic conditions.

China's research on loess and its causes is scientifically and systematically discussed in the works of academicians Liu Dongsheng and Zhang Zonghu, which represents the highest level of loess research in China and won the China Science Prize.

In addition, some documents and biographies quoted him as saying that from BC 1 14 to AD 65438, the communication lines between China and Hedong (between Amu Darya and Syr Darya in Central Asia) and between China and India were called the Silk Road. In fact, as some scholars pointed out later, Li lacked the demonstration of archaeological materials and the cultural background of China, so his investigation time was short. After Herman's "Ancient Silk Road between China and Syria" and his favorite pupil Sven Hedin's "Silk Road", people have a general understanding of today's Silk Road (Mr. Wu Xinhua's "Jade Road" is another way of saying it).

At the same time, it is particularly worth mentioning that Li's investigation and research, especially the publication of China, initiated and influenced the geological cause in China, mainly because the older generation of geologists in China almost regarded China as a required book and an important document in their study, research and teaching activities, and they spoke highly of the book. Dr. Weng, one of the founders of China's geological cause, published the article "Geological Work in Richthofen and China" on the anniversary of 1933, pointing out that:

"Richthofen's macro works on China's geology need to be supplemented in detail, and his basic concepts on China's geological history also need to be revised. Confucius said, "Knowing benevolence by observing thoughts". I will try to see it, but I should be surprised at its early discovery; Gary Lee started his business 50 years ago. Geologists in China admire Li's main geological program of China for several years, and his achievements have saved us ten years' working time "(see Journal of Geology of China Institution 1933, No.3).

With the rapid development of China's geological cause, Chinese geologists have found many mistakes in Li's works in their long-term geological work practice, supplementing and correcting a large number of insufficient geological facts. When Mr. Ru Weng summarized the regional tectonic characteristics and tectonic movement times in eastern China and North China, he corrected many wrong understandings and expositions of Mr. Li.

Verb (abbreviation of verb) Comment on Richthofen and his masterpiece China.

Richthofen and the background and purpose of his visit to China have always had two completely different views in the long history. After the founding of New China, he was a controversial figure in the discussion of the history of geological development in China.

1903, Lu Xun, a famous writer and thinker, published "A Brief Introduction to Geology in China" in the eighth issue of Zhejiang Tide, which strongly criticized and warned foreigners about their geological investigation in China. He clearly pointed out: "We must master our own mineral lifeline and strive for prosperity!" I am deeply uneasy about foreigners coming to China for surveying and mapping, and I am even more wary of the great powers sending geologists to China for surveying China's geology and minerals under various pretexts! A sharp warning to Richthofen and others: "Don't say that a fragile geologist, as long as he has a pair of good eyes, will have an infinitely powerful army" ... "Jiaozhou has long been mine since Li traveled".

1872, after Richthofen returned to Germany, he gave speeches and lobbied everywhere, and once made Jiaozhou Bay one of the three excellent ports in China, and it was very close to the mining area, especially a good port. 1June, 897 (the 23rd year of Guangxu reign)165438+1October 14 years, when the Germans occupied Qingdao, the Qing government was forced to sign a lease of JIAOZHOU bay in Germany in the following year (1898). This reminds us of Lu Xun's warning in 1903.

Zhang, one of the founders of China's geological cause, also accused him in his book A Brief History of Geological Development in China, written in the 1930s: "A detailed investigation was made on the mineral resources and marine conditions in China ..."

From 65438 to 0980, The Founder of Modern Geography was published by the Commercial Press. The author briefly comments on Richthofen's geological survey in China. 1895 published an article, openly calling treaty of shimonoseki a masterpiece of political geography. It can be described as confusing black and white, completely exposing the sinister face of his colonial scholar.

Although he preached from time to time that "China and China should have a close relationship", he found malicious slander on the development of German geological cause. He said: "German intellectuals are stupid, which is a persistent obstacle to a rapidly developing society ... Walking is despicable in their eyes, and the work of geologists gives up the dignity of all people." (Author's Note: There are many translations of this passage in China, and it is quoted from the book Peach Blossoms and Plums All over the World published by Academician Liu Dongsheng 1993 China Geo University Press).

Mr. Ding Wenjiang, one of the founders of China's geological cause, was very indignant at these slanderous words, and made a tit-for-tat rule for himself: "You must climb to the top if you climb a mountain, and you must walk when you move.". 19 19, when the Geological Report edited by China Geological Survey was published for the first time, Ding Wenjiang specially published Li's original text in the English preface to warn China geologists and inspire them to strive for self-improvement and hard work.

In fact, the rapid development and brilliant achievements of geological science and geological undertakings in China, as well as all the slanderous words, have long since broken down, showing the heroic soul of the Chinese nation.

In a word, Richthofen and his masterpiece China have brought modern geoscience ideas and methods to China, which has considerable prestige and historical influence in China geoscience. After all, when China's geological career started, it gave enlightenment, development and foundation, which is an undeniable historical contribution. However, we should also dialectically understand the background and purpose of his geological investigation in China, as well as his exaggerated and untrue words, which at least played a negative role in creating public opinion for his government to plunder China's resources and sovereignty.