Lyell's Influence on Darwin

Lyell's ideas on geology, especially his concept that the Earth's features change gradually over time through natural processes, greatly influenced Darwin. By emphasizing that Earth is much older than previously thought, Lyell provided Darwin with the timeframe needed for small evolutionary changes to accumulate. This understanding supported Darwin's theory of natural selection, showing that species evolve gradually over long periods, rather than through sudden, dramatic events. Lyell's work helped Darwin see evolution as a slow, natural process shaped by Earth's ongoing geological changes.