Changes

'''Uniformitarianism''' is the view that most of earth's geological features are the result of slow, gradual processes that have been at work for millions or even billions of years.<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation Through General Science''. Anderson: Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. This idea has been widely criticised by many for the lack of evidence backing it.

'''Uniformitarianism''' is the view that the forces affecting the universe are the same now as at any time in the past.  It was proposed by geologist [[Charles Lyell]], and was a major influence on [[Charles Darwin]]. <ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation Through General Science''. Anderson: Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. This idea has been widely criticized by many for the lack of evidence backing it.

2000</ref>

2000</ref>

Although uniformitarianism has been geological dogma since the time of [[Lyell]], over the last half century, there has been a noticeable shift away from uniformitarianism. It is now, for example, widely accepted that the extinction of the dinosaurs was the result of the collision of an asteroid with the Earth.  

Although uniformitarianism has been geological dogma since the time of Lyell, over the last half century, there has been a noticeable shift away from uniformitarianism. It is now, for example, widely accepted that the extinction of the dinosaurs was the result of the collision of an asteroid with the Earth.  

The likelihood of this explanation has been underscored by the actual observation of comet [[Shoemaker-Levy]] hitting the planet [[Jupiter]] in 1994. This event made huge marks on Jupiter that could be seen by amateur astronomers with backyard telescopes. It has also been underscored by the recent realization that large numbers of asteroids come surprisingly close to Earth.  

The likelihood of this explanation has been underscored by the actual observation of comet [[Shoemaker-Levy]] hitting the planet [[Jupiter]] in 1994. This event made huge marks on Jupiter that could be seen by amateur astronomers with backyard telescopes. It has also been underscored by the recent realization that large numbers of asteroids come surprisingly close to Earth.  

==See also==

==See also==

*[[Catastrophism]]&mdash;the opposite of uniformitarianism.

*[[Catastrophism]], a theory opposing uniformitarianism.

==References==

==References==