uniformitarianism

/ ˌjuːnɪˌfɔːmɪˈtɛərɪəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the concept that the earth's surface was shaped in the past by gradual processes, such as erosion, and by small sudden changes, such as earthquakes, of the type acting today rather than by the sudden divine acts, such as the flood survived by Noah (Genesis 6–8), demanded by the doctrine of catastrophism

uniformitarianism

/ yo̅o̅′nə-fôr′mĭ-târ′ē-ə-nĭz′əm /

1. The theory that all geologic phenomena may be explained as the result of existing forces having operated uniformly from the origin of the Earth to the present time.
2. See Note at Lyell

Example Sentences

In the 1920s, mainstream geologists rigidly believed in uniformitarianism — the idea that geological features could only form over thousands or millions of years.

From Seattle Times

The theory of uniformitarianism, that major geological features were caused by the very slow accumulation of tiny changes, gained ground, culminating in Charles Lyell's epic three volume work Principles of Geology in 1830 that cemented the idea that the Earth had been around for hundreds of millions of years and possibly much longer, so long that it seemed impossible to fix an actual age.

From Scientific American

It concerned the geologic principle of uniformitarianism, which states that processes we can observe can be used to interpret Earth's history.

From Scientific American

Geologists call this theory of using the present to explain the past “uniformitarianism.”

From Scientific American

Uniformitarianism suggests that the laws of nature have remained uniform since the beginning of time and that the eternal processes of erosion and deposition have shaped every feature of Earth.

From Scientific American