Final answer:
Charles Lyell's geological work suggested Earth's much greater age, which was crucial for Charles Darwin's theories of evolution and natural selection. Lyell's concepts, combined with Darwin's observations, including fossils and geological changes, allowed Darwin to develop a robust theory of how species evolve over extended periods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Influence of Charles Lyell on Darwin's Theories
Charles Lyell, a prominent English geologist, played a significant role in shaping Charles Darwin's understanding of the Earth and its ancient past. Lyell's work introduced Darwin to the concept of gradual geological processes, suggesting that the Earth had to be much older than the widely accepted age of 6,000 years. This was a pivotal realization for Darwin, as it provided the vast timespan necessary for evolution by natural selection to occur. During his Voyage of the Beagle, Darwin encountered evidence such as sea life fossils at high elevations and the aftermath of earthquakes, which reinforced Lyell's ideas of a constantly changing Earth.
In integrating Lyell's findings with his own observations, Darwin was able to better comprehend the lengthy process of species divergence through natural selection. Furthermore, alongside Alfred Russel Wallace, Darwin presented a comprehensive theory of evolution, largely grounded on the principle of natural selection. Though both naturalists made significant contributions, Darwin is often more closely associated with this revolutionary scientific concept due to the extensive evidence he collected to support it.