Shen Kuo

Shen Kuo was a 11th-century Chinese polymath who made significant contributions to various fields, including geophysics. He is best known for his work in understanding the Earth's processes, including the concept of geological time and the effects of erosion and sedimentation. Shen proposed that Earth's layer formations and fossils could provide evidence of past climates and environments, paving the way for ideas related to the Earth’s dynamic nature. His insights laid early groundwork for later scientific exploration in geology and environmental science, emphasizing the interconnectedness of Earth's physical features and historical changes over time.