Answer
Catastrophism was the doctrine proposed by Justin Ussher. The doctrine advocated that the features on the earth were formed as a result of catastrophic or events of sudden violent nature. According to his theory the earth was only a few thousand years old. These violent forces that formed the natural features of the earth are no longer in operation according to his theory.
However the theory that came later to this and contradicts the basic constitution of the catastrophic theory is the theory of uniformitarianism and was developed by James Hutton. The theory stated that the processes, physical, chemical and biological in nature which led to the formation of the earth in the past still continue to operate in the earth i,e. present is the key to the past. According to this theory the earth is billions of years old and its this idea that eventually helped in shaping the further theories pertaining to the formation of earth. Hutton was also able to substantiate his theory with evidences.
Work Step by Step
Catastrophism:
1) Catastrophism was the doctrine proposed by Justin Ussher.
2) The doctrine advocated that the features on the earth were formed as a result of catastrophic or events of sudden violent nature. Being violent in nature the events were short lived.
3) According to his theory the earth was only a few thousand years old.
4) These violent forces that formed the natural features of the earth are no longer in operation
according to his theory.
Uniformitarianism :
1) Preceded catastrophism and was developed by James Hutton.
2) The theory stated that the processes, physical, chemical and biological in nature which led to the formation of the earth in the past still continue to operate in the earth i,e. present is the key to the past.
3) These processes hence operate in slow and a constant rate.
4) According to this theory the earth is billions of years old and its this idea that eventually helped in shaping the further theories pertaining to the formation of earth.
5) Theory was supported with evidences.
