Uniformitarianism & Catastrophism Essay Example for Free

Uniformitarianism Catastrophism Essay Catastrophism refers to the idea that the features on the surface of the earth have been formed by natural disasters that occurred in the past. Contrary to this, uniformitarianism explains how geological processes taking place today in like ways, explain all geological processes on the earth, hence today‘s activities determine yesterday’s activities. It overlooks any chances of past occurrences impacting on the earth surface. Catastrophism seems to have tangible, empirical evidence in which case the sedimentary layers of fossils and rocks piling on the earth surface tend to suggest past activities. Also, eruption of mountains such as Mt. St. Helens (1980) presently supports the catastrophic notion. The issue of rock record entails an area going through change as a result of geologic processes where original rocks transform physically as well as chemically before the rocks are laid down. Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980 and according to the uniformitarianism view; such eruptions are as a result of rock transformation activities within the earth crust or due to water contained within the rocks, changing course. Also, the 2005 Pakistan earthquake which took life of more than eighty thousand citizens is thought to be as a result of rocks in the earth crust and the mantle sedimenting after long periods of activities in the past. The Indian Ocean tsunami which occurred in 2004 is attributable to rocks in the ocean undergoing physical as well chemical changes hence in the process; the surface of the ocean experienced the forces, in form of huge, powerful waves (Craig, 1983). Reference Craig, C. (1983). Uniformitarianistic linguistics, Stonington: Benjamins.