uniformitarianism
Present explains past
Uniformitarianism is the geological principle that the same natural processes operating today have always operated throughout Earth's history—that the present is the key to the past.
Rivers erode valleys now as they did millions of years ago; volcanoes and earthquakes follow the same patterns.
The doctrine opposed catastrophism, which explained geological features through sudden, dramatic events.
Uniformitarianism became the foundation of modern geology.
Study of rock layers
- sedimentationParticles settling in liquid
- erosionGradual wearing away
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
- deep timeImmense spans of Earth's history
rock cycle · weathering · deposition · geomorphology · petrology · soil formation · isostasy · fossilization
Immense spans of Earth's history
- age of EarthYears since planetary formation
- geological timeEarth's age measured in eras
Unchanging rules of nature
- consistencyReliable adherence to standards
- invarianceQuality of staying unchanged
- predictabilityCapacity to be anticipated
- scientific reasoningMethodical analysis from evidence
British naturalist, species theorist
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- fossil recordRemains documenting prehistoric life
Combined result of additions
- time-scaleRange of duration considered
- steady-stateCondition of constant balance
stratigraphy
Study of rock layers
- sedimentationParticles settling in liquid
- erosionGradual wearing away
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
deep time · rock cycle · weathering · deposition · geomorphology · petrology · soil formation · isostasy · fossilization · subsidence
deep time
Immense spans of Earth's history
- age of EarthYears since planetary formation
- geological timeEarth's age measured in eras
natural laws
Unchanging rules of nature
- consistencyReliable adherence to standards
- invarianceQuality of staying unchanged
- predictabilityCapacity to be anticipated
scientific reasoning · lawfulness · parsimony · inductive reasoning
Darwin
British naturalist, species theorist
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
fossil record · biogeography · common descent · evolutionary change
cumulative effects
Combined result of additions
- time-scaleRange of duration considered
- steady-stateCondition of constant balance
uniformitarianismcatastrophism
Theory of sudden geological change
creationism · mass extinction events · discontinuity · revolutionary change · saltation