Walther Penck

Walther Penck was a very interesting geomorphologist because he challenged established theories and based his work of extensive observation in the field. In northwest Argentina, Penck worked on geological surveying and topography mapping. With experience in mountaineering, he spent 1912 to 1914 mapping and observering 4500 square miles in the Andes. It was in these studies of the Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments, that he developed his ideas on the patterns of tectonic movement (1.). Although his work lacks formality and supported evidence, I think that it is just that which causes me to be intruiged by him. His work seemed to be driven by lived experience, fascination, and observation, which is an important factor in the evolution of thought. If all geomorphologist were to only build on and expand the beliefs of another, than ideas could be skewed by bias. Davis held an important part in geomorphology to make substantiated theories in which he compiled evidence and formed an explanation for all his beliefs. I feel that such logic like Davis's could cloud, constrain, and distract some scientist from viewing the world from an original perspective. So, despite Penck's possible lack of solid probability in his theories, his divergent thoughts surely has stood to inspire and instigate many scientists to think outside the box of logic, possibly to open their eyes to a whole different way of thinking. At the same time, such challenges to logic, only provides more questions to gather more support and theories to a certain school of thought.