What is the definition of uniformitarianism?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the definition of the term 'uniformitarianism,' which is a concept in geology and other sciences. Uniformitarianism posits that the processes affecting the Earth's geology today are the same as those that have occurred in the past, implying that present-day geological processes can explain the geological history of the Earth.
Answer
Uniformitarianism is the principle that geological processes and laws that operate now have always operated in the past.
Uniformitarianism is a geological doctrine that suggests that the same natural processes and laws that operate in the universe now have always operated in the universe in the past and apply everywhere in the universe.
Answer for screen readers
Uniformitarianism is a geological doctrine that suggests that the same natural processes and laws that operate in the universe now have always operated in the universe in the past and apply everywhere in the universe.
More Information
The principle of uniformitarianism was first formulated by James Hutton in the late 18th century and further developed by Charles Lyell in the 19th century.
Sources
- Uniformitarianism definition - Britannica - britannica.com
- Uniformitarianism - National Geographic Society - nationalgeographic.org
- Uniformitarianism - American Museum of Natural History - amnh.org
