What is catastrophism?
Q: What is catastrophism?
A: Catastrophism is the theory that sudden, violent, and short-lived events have affected Earth's history, causing worldwide catastrophes between long periods of inactivity.
Q: Who coined the term "catastrophism" and when?
A: William Whewell coined the term "catastrophism" in 1837.
Q: What did Georges Cuvier contribute to the theory of catastrophism?
A: Georges Cuvier, the Director of the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle in Paris, supported catastrophism theory by showing evidence of extinction of species in the rock strata.
Q: What is the relationship between catastrophes and changes seen in the record of rocks and fossils?
A: Catastrophes were the main cause of the changes seen in the record of rocks and fossils, according to catastrophism theory.
Q: Did Georges Cuvier propose an explanation for why later species were different from earlier species?
A: No, Georges Cuvier did not propose an explanation for why later species were different from earlier ones.
Q: Did Georges Cuvier believe in evolution?
A: No, Georges Cuvier rejected the idea of evolution as an explanation for species change.
Q: Did Georges Cuvier offer a religious solution as an alternative to evolution?
A: No, Georges Cuvier did not offer a religious solution as an alternative to evolution.