What is uniformitarianiam?

Answer 1

Uniformitarianism is a geological principle that suggests the processes shaping the Earth today, such as erosion, sedimentation, and volcanic activity, have operated in a consistent manner throughout geological history. This concept, often summarized by the phrase "the present is the key to the past," implies that understanding current processes allows scientists to interpret past geological events. It contrasts with the idea of catastrophism, which attributes significant geological changes to sudden, short-lived events. Uniformitarianism is a foundational concept in modern geology and helps in reconstructing Earth's history.