The Map That Changed the World

"The Map That Changed the World" refers to the groundbreaking geological map created by William Smith in the early 19th century. Smith, known as the "father of modern geology," developed a detailed map of England’s rock layers, showing their distribution and age. His work demonstrated that fossils found in different layers could be used to identify and date rocks, revolutionizing the understanding of Earth's history. This map laid the foundation for stratigraphy and helped shift the perception of geology from a descriptive science to one based on systematic study and classification, influencing both science and industry significantly.