Final answer:
Hutton's observations at Siccar Point were significant for introducing the concept of uniformitarianism, which posited that the Earth's geologic features resulted from gradual processes and indicated an older age for the Earth. This concept influenced future geologists and supported Darwin's theory of evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significance of Hutton's observations at Siccar Point, Scotland lies in the foundation they provided for the theory of uniformitarianism. In 1795, James Hutton observed geological formations at Siccar Point which led him to propose that the Earth's features were shaped by continuous and gradual processes, not just catastrophic events. Hutton's theory was a revolutionary shift from the then-prevailing belief in a young Earth shaped by rapid, short-lived events. His observations supported the idea that the Earth was much older than previously thought, allowing more time for processes such as erosion and sediment deposition. These ideas greatly influenced later scientists like Charles Lyell, who expanded upon them, and Charles Darwin, who applied them to biological evolution. By suggesting that the same geological forces seen today were at work in the past at similar rates, Hutton's work laid the groundwork for a scientific understanding of the Earth's long history and the slow but powerful forces that shape it.