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Both James Hutton and Charles Lyell are considered the fathers of uniformitarianism geology. Uniformitarianism geology is all that has been taught since shortly after the word geology was coined in 1778. Although catastrophism geology is alive and well among many geologists, currently the word geology connotes uniformitarianism.

It is not that Hutton and Lyell are competing for the title of father. James Hutton is credited with lying the foundation of uniformitarianism geology by questioning the then current belief that the sedimentary rock strata was laid down by Noah's worldwide flood. Hutton saw evidence of multiple deposition events and subsequent upheavals and igneous intrusions that revealed a long history of the earth. Although it would appear that much of that evidence would point to catastrophism, Hutton saw only uniformitarianism.

Although 45 years went by before Hutton's ideas really had a significance influence, at that time, Charles Lyell added a chronology of the rock layers called the geologic column and added age dates and names to the layers. So Hutton laid the conceptual foundation for uniformitarianism geology and Lyell built the structure of geology upon that foundation.

The uniformitarianism concept, along with its mandatory accompanying old earth philosophy, provided the primary influence for Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution. Together these ideas have caused a paradigm shift from a biblical creationist, young earth worldview to a humanistic, evolutionary old earth worldview

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Who explained that the geological processes seen happening on the earth now have shaped Earths geological features over long periods of time?

James Hutton, often regarded as the father of modern geology, proposed the principle of uniformitarianism in the late 18th century. This principle states that the same geological processes we observe today, such as erosion and volcanic activity, have been at work shaping Earth's features over long periods of time. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the gradual changes that have occurred in Earth's geological history.


Who explained that the geological process seen happening on the earth now have shaped earth's geological features over long periods of time?

James Hutton, a Scottish geologist, proposed the theory of uniformitarianism in the 18th century. This theory suggests that the same geological processes happening on Earth today, such as erosion and sedimentation, have been occurring over long periods of time to shape the Earth's features.


Who created uniformitarianism?

Uniformitarianism was popularized by Scottish geologist James Hutton in the late 18th century and further developed by Charles Lyell in the 19th century. It proposes that the same geological processes we see today have been shaping the Earth's landscape for millions of years.


Who came up with the uniformitarianism principle?

The principle of uniformitarianism was introduced by Scottish geologist James Hutton in the 18th century and popularized by geologist Charles Lyell in the 19th century. Uniformitarianism suggests that the geological processes we observe occurring today have been at work throughout Earth's history.


Who said the author of theory of the earth?

The phrase "the author of the Theory of the Earth" typically refers to Scottish geologist James Hutton, who is often regarded as the father of modern geology. His seminal work, published in the late 18th century, laid the groundwork for understanding Earth's geological processes and the concept of deep time. Hutton's ideas were foundational in shaping the field of geology and influencing subsequent scientists, including Charles Lyell and Charles Darwin.

Related Questions

Who explained that the geological processes seen happening on the earth now have shaped Earths geological features over long periods of time?

James Hutton, often regarded as the father of modern geology, proposed the principle of uniformitarianism in the late 18th century. This principle states that the same geological processes we observe today, such as erosion and volcanic activity, have been at work shaping Earth's features over long periods of time. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the gradual changes that have occurred in Earth's geological history.


What major contribution did James Hutton and sir Charles Lyell make to the field of geology?

The age of the Earth was the idea changed by the work of James Hutton and Charles Lyell. Charles Lyell incorporated Hutton's thinking into his principle uniformitarianism, which stated that mechanisms of change are constant over time.


What ideas changed by the work of James Hutton and Charles Lyell?

The age of the Earth was the idea changed by the work of James Hutton and Charles Lyell.Charles Lyell incorporated Hutton's thinking into his principle uniformitarianism, which stated that mechanisms of change are constant over time.


What idea was changed by the work of James Hutton Charles Lyell?

The age of the Earth was the idea changed by the work of James Hutton and Charles Lyell.Charles Lyell incorporated Hutton's thinking into his principle uniformitarianism, which stated that mechanisms of change are constant over time.


How Hutton's and lyell's ideas about the formation of the Earth influenced Darwin's ideas about evolution?

Hutton and Lyell studied the geological changes that shaped earth and recognized that the processes that shaped Earth in the past are the same processes that operate in the present. This influenced Darwin's theory of evolution because it shows, that things are constantly changing on earth (the enviorment) so why can't organisms?


Who influenced Darwin's idea that life could change slowly over a long period of time?

Hutton and Lyell


Who most influenced Darwin's ideas that life could change slowly over a long period of time?

Charles Lyell, a geologist whose work on the principles of geological change influenced Darwin by suggesting that the Earth's features could change gradually over long periods of time. This idea of gradual change in the Earth's geology helped form the foundation for Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.


How did Hutton's and Lyell's views of earth different from that of most people of their time?

Hutton and Lyell's view of the earth was that it was over 6,000 years old, and no others at that time did not believe so.


How did Hutton and Lyell views of earth different from that of most people of their time?

Hutton and Lyell's view of the earth was that it was over 6,000 years old, and no others at that time did not believe so.


Why was the work of hutton and lyell important to Darwin?

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What were Hutton's and Lyell's ideas about the age of the earth and the processes that shape the planet?

Hutton proposed that the Earth is shaped by slow and gradual processes that operate over long periods of time, known as uniformitarianism. Lyell built on this idea and argued that the Earth is much older than previously thought, with geological changes occurring through the same slow processes still at work today. Their ideas laid the foundation for modern geology and our understanding of the Earth's history.


Recognized that earth is many millions of years old?

Hutton and Lyell