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Uniformitarianism

The late 18th century theory of James Hutton that the natural forces now changing the shape of the Earth's surface have been operating in the past much in the same way. The most important implication is that the Earth is very old and that the present is the key to understanding the past. Elaborated on by Charles Lyell in the 19th century, this theory opposed catastrophism.

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Related terms

uniformitarianism
Anthropology; Cultural anthropology

The principle which states that physical forces working today to alter the earth were also in force and working in the same way in former times.

uniformitarianism
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