Final answer:
Hutton and Lyell's work in the 19th century influenced scientists' understanding of geological change, providing support for Darwin's theory of evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hutton and Lyell's work in the 19th century introduced the idea that geological change occurs gradually over long periods of time, rather than through catastrophic events. Hutton proposed that geological features are the result of slow and consistent changes, while Lyell popularized the principle of uniformitarianism, which states that the same geological processes that occur today have also occurred in the past at the same rate. These realizations provided the framework for Darwin's theory of evolution, as they suggested that the Earth is much older and that gradual changes in species could take place over time.