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

This is the story of the geological period as known to historical geology.

From Climatic Changes Their Nature and Causes by Huntington, Ellsworth

But until historical geology had been formulated, and until the idea of the unity of nature had dawned upon the minds of scientists, the doctrine of evolution had little significance.

From The Story of the Living Machine A Review of the Conclusions of Modern Biology in Regard to the Mechanism Which Controls the Phenomena of Living Activity by Conn, H. W. (Herbert William)

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

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

Modern biology was the child of historical geology.

From The Story of the Living Machine A Review of the Conclusions of Modern Biology in Regard to the Mechanism Which Controls the Phenomena of Living Activity by Conn, H. W. (Herbert William)