FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS OF GEOLOGY 

 Report by T. C. ChambkrIvIn. 



I have the honor to submit the following report of progress on the 

 work done under Grant No. 31, made for the promotion of investi- 

 gation on certain fundamental questions in geology. The period 

 covers nine months, from January i to October i, 1903. 



Immediately on the announcement of the grant an arrangement 

 was made with the University of Chicago by which I was relieved of 

 all educational work except that directly connected with investiga- 

 tion, and even this class of university service was limited to six months 

 of the year. Arrangements were also effected for relieving me, so 

 far as practicable, from executive work. A research assistant was 

 provided, a feature of the understanding being that the University 

 would support at least as much investigation in geological lines as it 

 had done before. The University has continued to pay one half of 

 my previous salary, and the other half has been paid from the grant. 



Plans for collaboration on different phases of the complex subjects 

 of investigation, of different extents and degrees, were soon arranged 

 with Dr. F. R. Moulton, of the University of Chicago, on questions 

 relative to the origin of the earth and related subjects, especiall}^ 

 those involving celestial mechanics ; with Professor L. M. Hoskins, 

 of the Engineering Department of Stanford University, on questions 

 relating to earth stresses and cognate subjects ; with Professor C. S. 

 Slichter, of the Mathematical Department of the University of Wis- 

 consin, on questions connected with the rotational effects of tidal 

 action ; with Mr. A. C. IvUnn, of the Mathematical Department of 

 the University of Chicago, on questions relative to the generation and 

 distribution of internal heat by compression and related subjects ; 

 and with Professor Julius Stieglitz, of the Department of Chemistry 

 of the University of Chicago, relative to the bearing of certain ancient 

 evaporation products on the former state of the atmosphere. Mr. 

 W. H. Emmons, of the Department of Geology of the University of 

 Chicago, has served as research assistant under appointment by the 

 University of Chicago. 



In pursuance of the plan of collaboration with Dr. Moulton, it was 

 thought best at the outset to examine critically everything of any 



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