Commonalities Betwen Uniformitarianism and Catastrophism

• Buffer
• Tweet

Uniformitarianism and catastrophism have one aspect in common. They both attempt to explain the geological transformation and changes the earth experienced from its early stages to present day. Both doctrines state that natural occurrences shaped our world. The differences between uniformitarianism and catastrophism lie in the method of how those changes occurred.

Uniformitarianism pertains to geological studies and in particular, to the formation of the physical characteristics of the earth. The principle that permeates uniformitarianism is that the earth evolved in much the same way it is evolving today. This doctrine states that there were no cataclysmic events such as floods that covered the earth or global freezing. The principal belief of the followers of uniformitarianism is: “the present is the key to the past.”

In other words, since its original formation billions of years ago, the earth has been changing at the same pace and in the same way it is changing today. Uniformitarianism states that there were no sudden catastrophic events. There have been only the same gradual and natural geological cause and effect that govern changes today.

Uniformitarianism argues that geological changes occur slowly and gradually. Rainwater erodes soil, earthquakes can create mountain ranges and volcanic eruptions cause molten rock to rise and form elevated land masses and new mountains. Those who follow the principles of uniformitarianism believe that given enough time, all geological changes are possible.

Catastrophism on the other hand takes an opposing point of view. This doctrine states that throughout its formation, the earth was battered, heated, cooled and scarred. It states that in the beginning, the earth was a formation of molten rock which cooled over time and formed mountain ranges. Through the experience of continuous natural disasters, the earth took its present day shape and form.

Today catastrophism has much more credibility and support from the scientific community. Facts such as fossils that contain the remains of animals and trees suggest that some sudden natural disaster trapped them and sealed them in an earthen-like vault. Thousands of years later, these remnants have been preserved and studied. There have been other discoveries that suggest the occurrence of a cataclysmic event. Examples are earth samples found in remote places that have distinct characteristics and similarities with other earth samples even though separated by thousands of miles.

In the late 1700s, some considered the belief in uniformitarianism to be heretical. It opposed the biblical interpretation of creation and it challenged their religious convictions and belief in God. Uniformitarianism rejected the idea that a great flood once covered the earth as reported in the biblical account of Noah. The belief in uniformitarianism also encouraged many intellectuals to believe in the theory of evolution. This theory was later explained by Charles Darwin in his famous study, “The Origin of Species.”

Uniformitarianism has largely been rejected due to the overwhelming evidence stemming from the ideas of catastrophism. There is significant evidence in Europe and Asia of a major deluge. Many peoples describe the “Great Flood” similar to the one mentioned in the biblical account of Noah. Also, marine life and plants have been found on top of Mount Everest. This indicates that a major natural upheaval, strong enough to change the geography of the earth, must have occurred.

Uniformitarianism and catastrophism attempt to explain how the earth reached its present shape, form and function. But scientific fact appears to have discarded the theory of uniformitarianism. It relies more heavily on the scientific facts that support catastrophism. Also, recent events such as the Mt. St. Helens eruption of 1980 and the Iceland Volcano eruption of 2010 lend more credence to the theory that cataclysmic events do shape and mold the geological structure of earth.

Resource by T.Price

I am a mom of 2 boys who loves to spend time with them doing fun things outdoors. In my spare time I have my own things I enjoy doing such as gardening, reading old books, and being a closet history buff.

Related Research For Teachers, Students, and Kids