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catastrophism  

Definition

  • Catastrophism, an idea that emerged at the beginning of the 18th century, holds that the earth has been affected by a series of sudden, short-lived, violent events (such as land upheavals and floods that may have been worldwide in scope). These catastrophes, or “revolutions,” shaped the earth's surface, forming mountains and valleys, and at the same time destroyed whole species of organisms, some specimens of which were preserved as fossils. [Source: Encyclopedia of Time: Science, Philosophy, Theology, & Culture; Catastrophism]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/catastrophism

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