uniformitarianizmus

Uniformitarianizmus is a geological principle that states that the same natural laws and processes that operate in the universe now have always operated in the universe in the past and apply to the present. This idea suggests that the Earth's geological features were formed by gradual, ongoing processes, rather than by catastrophic events. It is often summarized by the phrase "the present is the key to the past."

The concept of uniformitarianizmus was largely developed by Scottish geologist James Hutton in the late 18th century. He observed that many geological formations appeared to be the result of slow, continuous processes like erosion and sedimentation, which could be witnessed in his own time. This contrasted with earlier theories, such as catastrophism, which attributed geological changes to sudden, large-scale events.

Charles Lyell further popularized uniformitarianizmus in his influential book "Principles of Geology" in the 19th century. His work provided extensive evidence and arguments that supported gradualism and the immense age of the Earth. The principle of uniformitarianizmus has become a cornerstone of modern geology, providing a framework for understanding Earth's history and processes. It emphasizes that geological change is slow and cumulative, requiring vast amounts of time to produce the features we observe today.