Catastrophism

Catastrophism is the idea that Earth's features and landscapes have primarily been shaped by sudden, short-lived events such as natural disasters—like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or massive floods—rather than by slow, gradual processes over long periods. This concept was historically used to explain how large geological features formed quickly in Earth's history. While modern geology recognizes that both gradual processes and sudden events influence Earth's evolution, catastrophism highlights the significant impact that dramatic, rapid changes can have on shaping our planet's surface.