ca·tas·tro·phism (k -t s tr-f z m)n. 1. Geology The doctrine that major changes in the earth's crust result from catastrophes rather than evolutionary processes. 2. The prediction or expectation of cataclysmic upheaval, as in political or social developments. ca·tas tro·phist n. |
catastrophism [kəˈtæstrəˌfɪzəm]
n
1. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) an old doctrine, now discarded, that the earth was created and has subsequently been shaped by sudden divine acts which have no logical connection with each other rather than by gradual evolutionary processes
2. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) Also called neo-catastrophism a modern doctrine that the gradual evolutionary processes shaping the earth have been supplemented in the past by the effects of huge natural catastrophes See uniformitarianism Compare gradualism [2]
catastrophist n
catastrophism
the theory that geological changes have been caused by sudden upheaval rather than by gradual and continuing processes. Cf. uniformitarianism. — catastrophist, n.
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