historical geology

American  

noun

1. the branch of geology dealing with the history of the earth.

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historical geology British  

noun

1. the branch of geology concerned with the evolution of the earth and its life forms from its origins to the present

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Etymology

Origin of historical geology

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

In historical geology a broad view is given of the development of the North American continent and the evolution of life upon the planet.

From The Elements of Geology by Norton, William Harmon

The best opinion of today, and it is well-nigh universal, is that the Mosaic record refers to indefinite periods of time corresponding to the great divisions of historical geology.

From Joseph Smith as Scientist A Contribution to Mormon Philosophy by Widtsoe, John Andreas

The volume is divided into two parts, physical geology and historical geology.

From General Science by Clark, Bertha M.

The geological or stratigraphical direction of the science was given by the work of William Smith, "the father of historical geology," in the closing decade of the eighteenth century.

From Darwin and Modern Science by Seward, A. C. (Albert Charles)

All these puzzling features unite to render the subject of historical geology anything but the simple matter the fathers of the science esteemed it.

From A History of Science — Volume 3 by Williams, Henry Smith