Question

In the 18th century, there were profound changes in thinking about the nature and history of the earth. ______- "The present is the key to the past" Championed by geologists James ___and Charles____, _____- Sudden violent and short-lived events were responsible for the current state of the earth.

Answer 1

In the 18th century, geologists James Hutton and Charles Lyell championed the concept of gradual geological change over time, known as uniformitarianism. Instead of attributing the earth's current state to sudden catastrophes, they argued that it was shaped by slow and consistent processes. This idea had an impact on Charles Darwin's thinking.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the 18th century, there were profound changes in thinking about the nature and history of the earth. The concept of gradual geological change over long periods of time, known as uniformitarianism, was championed by geologists James Hutton and Charles Lyell. They argued that the current state of the earth was shaped by slow and consistent processes, rather than sudden catastrophic events. This idea of gradual change over time was influential in understanding the concept of evolution and had an impact on Charles Darwin's thinking.