catastrophism

American  

[kuh-tas-truh-fiz-uhm] / kəˈtæs trəˌfɪz əm /

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 British  

/ 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 called: neo-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 Cultural  

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

---

Discover More

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

Other Word Forms

• catastrophist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of catastrophism

First recorded in 1865–70; catastrophe + -ism

Explanation

Catastrophism is the theory that most changes to the Earth's crust happened because of major events. No matter how cool it would be to see a mountain form, according to this theory, you wouldn't be around to watch. Catastrophism was first proposed by the French scientist Georges Cuvier in the early 1800s. His work was done before a lot of important discoveries about geology, evolution, and the fossil record, so his original theories aren't used anymore. But the idea of sudden events that have massive effects on Earth and its species is still used sometimes in different ways, and that's sometimes called neocatastrophism. Catastrophism is contrasted with uniformitarianism or gradualism, the idea that slow incremental changes have shaped Earth's past.

Example Sentences

Catastrophism was particularly comforting to clerics like Buckland because it allowed them to incorporate the biblical flood of Noah into serious scientific discussions.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

"Are you interested in Catastrophism?" asked the wondering Yankee.

From The Wisdom of Father Brown by Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)

Catastrophism was the natural method of accounting for these gaps, and, as we shall see, it possesses a basis of truth.

From The Ancient Life History of the Earth A Comprehensive Outline of the Principles and Leading Facts of Palæontological Science by Nicholson, Henry Alleyne

Catastrophism is a corollary of it: if there were no imperfection there could be no advance.

From The Unpopular Review, Number 19 July-December 1918 by Various

Mr. Clarence King lately delivered an interesting address before the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale College, New Haven, Conn., under the title of "Catastrophism, or the Evolution of Environment," which promises to evoke considerable discussion.

From Scientific American, Vol. XXXVII.?No. 2. [New Series.], July 14, 1877 A Weekly Journal Of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, And Manufactures by Various