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catastrophism

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noun ca·tas·tro·phism \kə-ˈtas-trə-ˌfi-zəm\

Definition of catastrophism

  1. :  a geological doctrine that changes in the earth's crust have in the past been brought about suddenly by physical forces operating in ways that cannot be observed today — compare uniformitarianism

catastrophist

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First Known Use of catastrophism

1869

Learn More about catastrophism

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catastrophism

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