Hutton's principle

Hutton's principle, often associated with the work of geologist James Hutton, suggests that the Earth is constantly changing through processes like erosion and sedimentation. It emphasizes the idea that the geological features we see today are the result of long-term processes that occur over vast time scales, rather than catastrophic events. This principle laid the groundwork for the concept of deep time, allowing us to understand that Earth’s history spans millions of years. Hutton's ideas challenged the belief that Earth’s landscape was relatively young and immutable, promoting a more dynamic view of our planet’s geological evolution.