Buch

Buch, Leopold von (1774-1853), a German geographer and geologist. He studied at the Mining school of Freiberg under Werner, having as a fellow student Alexander von Humboldt. He joined with Humboldt in studying the geological formation of his own country, afterwards extending his researches to Italy, France, Scandinavia, the Canary Islands, and parts of Great Britain and Ireland. His examination of volcanoes and volcanic action led him to abandon the Neptunian theory of Werner for the theory that volcanic agency had much to do with the formation of the present features of the world. He established the fact that Sweden is steadily rising, and was of opinion that the South Sea islands are the remains of a former continent. Humboldt considered him the greatest geologist of his time. Besides books of travels and other geological works, he published in 1832 a Geological Map of Germany.