Final answer:
Catastrophism is the name of the geological theory for the formation of landscapes before the time of Charles Lyell.
Step-by-step explanation:
The name of the geological theory for the formation of landscapes before the time of Charles Lyell is catastrophism.
Catastrophism is the belief that Earth's geologic features were shaped by sudden and dramatic events, such as floods and earthquakes, rather than gradual processes over time. This theory was popularized by Georges Cuvier, a French naturalist, in the early 19th century.
Key keywords: catastrophism, geological theory, formation of landscapes, Charles Lyell.