Final answer:
The idea that species went extinct due to catastrophes and were subsequently recreated by God, leading to current species, is known as catastrophism (A).
Step-by-step explanation:
The view that extinct species were destroyed by catastrophes such as fires, floods, and other disasters, and that after each of these destructive events God created new species, eventually leading to the species we see today, is known as A. catastrophism. This concept was proposed by Georges Cuvier in the early 19th century to explain the fossil record. Catastrophism suggests that mass extinctions were the result of sudden, catastrophic events, which were then followed by the creation or migration of new species to repopulate the affected areas. While modern science has moved away from the idea of supernatural creation, the recognition of mass extinction events remains an important aspect of evolutionary theory, contributing to our understanding of biodiversity and the evolution of life on Earth.