catastrophism

[ kuh-tas-truh-fiz-uhm ]

noun

, Geology.

1. the doctrine that certain vast geological changes in the earth's history were caused by catastrophes rather than gradual evolutionary processes.

catastrophism

/ kəˈtæstrəˌfɪzəm /

noun

1. an old doctrine, now discarded, that the earth was created and has subsequently been shaped by sudden divine acts which have no logical connection with each other rather than by gradual evolutionary processes
2. Also calledneo-catastrophism a modern doctrine that the gradual evolutionary processes shaping the earth have been supplemented in the past by the effects of huge natural catastrophes Compare uniformitarianism gradualism

catastrophism

1. A theory holding that changes in the Earth take place swiftly and irreversibly. ( Contrast gradualism .)

Notes

A belief in Noah 's flood is one version of catastrophism.

Derived Forms

• caˈtastrophist, noun

Other Words From

• ca·tastro·phist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of catastrophism¹

First recorded in 1865–70; catastrophe + -ism

Example Sentences

But by the 1970s, geologists had accepted catastrophism as legitimate.

From Seattle Times

His goal is to steer climate debate between what he considers equally unproductive extremes of “catastrophism” and “techno-optimism.”

From Washington Post

The geological theory known as catastrophism postulated that major features such as the Grand Canyon, Himalayas, etc. had emerged as a result of sudden and violent upheavals.

From Scientific American

"Lots of people are using this kind of catastrophism to argue that there's no point in reducing emissions," he says.

From BBC

But he also made news last month when he publicly scolded Greta Thunberg, the young climate activist, for “surrendering completely to catastrophism.”

From New York Times