UNIFORMITARIANISM VS CATASTROPHISM

Initial thinking on earth history was inspired by the bible. The recognition that major rock
series are characterized by a distinct set of fossils lead to the belief that the fossils of each rock
series were result of a creation and then were subsequently destroyed by some catastrophic event
(e.g. the biblical flood). The main proponent of this theory was the French naturalist Georges
Cuvier. In the 18th century there was even a case when some unfortunate geologist (Johann
Jacob Scheuchzer, 1672-1733) found skeletons of giant salamanders and identified them as
the victims of the biblical flood. The problem was that upon close inspection, these flood
victims had long tails and sharp claws. Thus, it earned the proponent quite a bit of ridicule.
Generally speaking, this way of looking at the geologic record, namely to assume that a series of
immense, brief, and worldwide upheavals changed the earth greatly and produced mountains,
valleys, and various other large scale features, came to be known as catastrophism.
The theory of catastrophism was challenged by James Hutton in the late 18th century,
who in his theory of uniformitarianism proposed that uniform gradual processes (such as for
example the slow erosion of the coast by the impact of waves) shaped the geologic record of the
earth over an immensely long period of time. He assumed that the acting processes were the
same than those that we see in action at present (rivers, volcanoes, waves, tides etc.). Darwin
later on based his theory of the origin a species on Hutton's theory.
The sedimentary structures that we saw earlier in this lecture serve as a good illustration
how uniformitarianism works. Cross-bedding for example can be observed to form in modern
river channels and also in experimental setups called flumes. We learn from these observations
what kind of current velocities are needed to produce cross-bedding in a given grain size, and we
realize that cross-bedding can be used as an indicator of current flow direction. We can apply
what we learn from modern cross-beds to interpret the rock record in terms of flow velocities and
flow direction. Likewise, finding ancient equivalents of modern mudcracks suggests to us that
we look at sediments that dried out beneath the air, and were thus deposited on land.
In more modern times, some amendments have been made to the theory of
uniformitarianism. One of these would be that it was recognized that catastrophic events are as
much part of geologic history than the uniform action of the everyday processes. For example,
sediment supply to the oceans is not a constant flux of matter. There is a considerable episodic
component to sedimentation, e.g. storms are major agents of sediment redistribution in shelf
seas, floods and exceptionally strong rains are responsible for most of the erosion and sediment
redistribution on the continents. Undoubtedly, the physical and chemical principles (e.g. gravity,
thermodynamics) that govern geologic processes of the present have also applied in the past. Yet
as is visible in the present, frequent small deviations from equilibrium and unstable behavior
(minor catastrophes, such as earthquakes, floods, storms) must have been an integral part of
these processes. Similarly, the evolution of life was not a single succession of tiny evolutionary

steps as originally envisioned by Darwin. We are now able to see that there were episodes of
accelerated (punctuated) evolution, usually as a response to a change in environmental
conditions, such as climate (ice ages, warming of the earth), the advent or immigration of new
predators and the utilization of new food sources. Extremely rare (and catastrophic) events, such
as the impact of large meteors, may have had a profound influence on our planet. Yet meteors fall
onto the earth on a daily basis, just as it rains every day. In that sense, meteorite impacts are
quite normal and part of the spectrum of everyday processes. Only very rarely does a
"doomsday" meteorite that is 10 or more km in diameter hit the Earth and cause severe
disruptions. To sum it up: The natural laws do not change with time and they have and will
determine interior and external processes of the earth. Even the extremely rare event (e.g. meteor
impacts) is part of the many geologic processes governed by these laws. Even though something,
like for example the December 2004 tsunami, appears to us as a unique catastrophe, over the
long run it is a normal and recurring event. It does not follow, however, that the rate of geologic
processes is the same today as it was in the past. Some processes, such as mantle convection do
probably stay stable over long time periods, but others, such as glaciation were at times very
intense in the past (ice ages), but are presently less significant for continental erosion. So, a
brief definition of Uniformitarianism would be: the natural laws that govern geologic
processes have not changed over geologic time, but the rate at which certain geologic
processes operate can vary. Uniformitarianism also has been paraphrased as "The Present is
the Key to the Past".
UNIFORMITARIANISM VS CATASTROPHISM
There is two schools of thought on how the earth changed through time. Both are theories
on
how
this
came
about.
Lets
weigh
the
evidence
of
these
two
theories : Uniformitarianism versusCatastrophism.
Uniformitarianism is a basic principle of evolution that teaches that natural phenomena
could be explained by the ordinary processes of nature, acting over vast expanses of geologic
time. Charles Lyell developed this "principle of uniformitarianism" with its creed, "the present is
the key to the past". It soon became widely accepted as the foundational principle of modern
discipline called historical geology. Charles Darwin was profoundly influenced by Lyell's
concepts in formulating his own theory of evolution throughout the long ages of earth history
that were provided by uniformitarianism. His book, "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural
Selection or The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life (1859), quickly became
dogma throughout the sciences of both biology and geology with their supposed paleontological
record of history of life on earth during the long geological ages. Charles Darwin even doubted
his own theories about evolution. On page 217 of his book he quoted, "To suppose that the
eye...could have been formed by natural selection seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest
degree."

So according to uniformitarianism, the way everything is occurring today is the way it

has always occurred on our planet. It teaches that "all things continue as they were from the
beginning" (you will find II Peter 3:3-7 interesting reading). This point has strong bearing on the
rock strata. Since no more than an inch or so of sediment is presently being laid down each year
in most non-alluvial areas, therefore no more than this amount could have been deposited yearly
in those places in the past. Since there are thick sections of rock containing fossils, therefore
those rocks and their contents must have required millions of years to be laid down. This is how
the theory goes. Here is quotes from two scientists that admit that the uniformitarian theory
explains nothing about the age of fossils, rock strata, the age of the earth, or anything else : "The
idea that the rates or intensities of geological processes have been constant is so obviously
contrary to the evidence that one can only wonder at its persistence. Modern uniformitarianism
asserts nothing about the age of the Earth or about anything else." (James H. Shea, Twelve
Fallacies of Uniformitarianism" in Geology, September 1982, p.457).
"Uniformitarianists find particularly difficult to apply their principle, namely (1) the
cause of mountain building. (2) the origin of geosynclines. (3) the origin of petroleum. (4) the
cause of continual glaciation. (5) the mechanics of over thrusting. (6) the cause of peneplains. (7)
the cause of world-wide warm climates. (8) the nature of volcanism producing vast volcanic
terrains. (9) the nature of continental uplift processes. (10) the origin of mineral deposits. (11)
nature of metamorphism. (12) the origin of saline deposits. (13) the nature of granitization and
(14) the origin of coal measures. Not one of the above phenomena has yet been adequately
explained in terms of present processes." (H.R. Siegler, Evolution or Degeneration - which ?,
1972)
Catastrophism is the opposite viewpoint that teaches that a terrible crisis occurred at
some earlier time. It was a great catastrophe - the Flood - which within a few months laid down
all the sedimentary rock strata, entombing the animals contained within them, which became
fossils. Geologic evidence on all sides is clear that it was a catastrophe of such gigantic
proportions that rocks were twisted, mountains were hurled upwards, water was pulled out of the
earth, and the very atmosphere was dramatically affected. As a consequence, thousands of
volcanoes erupted and vast glaciers moved downward from the the poles which had earlier been
warm. Here is a quote from W.D. Thornbury, "Bretz has been unable to account for such a flood,
but maintained that field evidence indicated its reality. This theory represents a return to
catastrophism which many geologists have been reluctant to accept." (W.D.
Thornbury, Principles of Geomorphology (1954) p.401).
The Bible does have a great deal to say about the early history of the earth and the
universe, not only in the book of Genesis, but throughout the whole Bible, both Old and New
Testaments. The effects of the gigantic flood of waters were dramatic that we find many
evidences of it today. It is impossible to properly study origins and earth science without an
understanding of the effects of the Flood. These effects prove, not uniformitarianism, but

catastrophism. there was a world-wide Flood ! It alone can explain so many geographical
features on our planet today.
According to the Biblical record, it was because of the utterly and hopelessly wicked
condition into which the earth's original peoples had degenerated that God sent a cataclysmic
Deluge to "destroy them with the earth". (Genesis 6:13). This event described in detail in Genesis
6 through 9 and is referred to many times in other parts of the Bible and by Jesus Christ,
Himself. It is also recorded, in more or less distorted and incomplete fashion, in the legends of
hundreds of peoples all over the world.
According to the apostle Peter, "the world that then was, being overflowed with water,
perished." (II Peter 3:6). As described in the Bible, the flood waters battered the entire globe for
a year and were immensely, destructive in effect. All the processes of sedimentation, volcanism,
tectonism, fossilization, etc., were extremely active during this period. The Bible clearly
describes this unique catastrophe, and we now know it as the Genesis Flood or as the Great
Deluge in the days of Noah.
I am a Biblical Creationist who believes in Biblical Catastrophism of a world-wide scale
called the Genesis Flood.