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The term geology was first used in the late 18th Century. Although geology was not mentioned in the [[Encyclopedia Britannica]] before 1800, by 1809 geology had a lengthy entry. During the earliest days of geological study, mainstream scientific geology was divided into three camps: Plutonists, Neptunists and Catastrophists. Of course, the vast majority of all geologists then (as now) were theists, but much of early geology was based upon the biblical history. At that time, the Plutonists believed God created the Earth, but volcanoes and fire had shaped the modern world. At the same time, the Neptunists believed that the ocean, perhaps even the Great Flood, was the primary factor in geology. Catastrophists on the other hand believed that the Earth had been created by God in one great catastrophe. Thus, Catastrophists concluded that everything which we now see was much the same as the world was at [[Creation]]. At that time, it was generally presumed by geologists and theologians that the Earth was around six thousand years old. Many Young Earth Creationists still agree with this interpretation.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/geology.asp</ref><ref>http://www.creationism.org/topbar/geology.htm</ref><ref>http://www.grisda.org/georpts/gr11.htm</ref><ref>http://www.nwcreation.net/geologylinks.html</ref><ref>http://globalflood.org/</ref>

The term geology was first used in the late 18th Century. Although geology was not mentioned in the [[Encyclopedia Britannica]] before 1800, by 1809 geology had a lengthy entry. During the earliest days of geological study, mainstream scientific geology was divided into three camps: Plutonists, Neptunists and Catastrophists. Of course, the vast majority of all geologists then (as now) were theists, but much of early geology was based upon the biblical history. At that time, the Plutonists believed God created the Earth, but volcanoes and fire had shaped the modern world. At the same time, the Neptunists believed that the ocean, perhaps even the Great Flood, was the primary factor in geology. Catastrophists on the other hand believed that the Earth had been created by God in one great catastrophe. Thus, Catastrophists concluded that everything which we now see was much the same as the world was at [[Creation]]. At that time, it was generally presumed by geologists and theologians that the Earth was around six thousand years old. Many Young Earth Creationists still agree with this interpretation.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/geology.asp</ref><ref>http://www.creationism.org/topbar/geology.htm</ref><ref>http://www.grisda.org/georpts/gr11.htm</ref><ref>http://www.nwcreation.net/geologylinks.html</ref><ref>http://globalflood.org/</ref>

In 1775, James Hutton presented a thesis, ''Theory of the Earth'', to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Hutton, who is considered by some to be the father of modern geology, attempted to explain the rationale for his conclusion that the Earth must be much older than previously supposed. Coupling observation with the [[scientific method]] he believe that the Earth must be very old indeed. In every direction he looked Hutton saw evidence of eroded mountains, dry land which had once been sea, and sediment and rocks at the bottom of the ocean. After ten years of study he published his findings in his book ''Theory of the Earth'' to document his claims of a much older Earth. <ref>http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/12861</ref><ref>http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14179</ref>

In 1775, James Hutton presented a thesis, ''Theory of the Earth'', to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Hutton, who is considered by some to be the father of modern geology, attempted to explain the rationale for his conclusion that the Earth must be much older than previously supposed. Coupling observation with the [[scientific method]] he believed that the Earth must be very old indeed. In every direction he looked Hutton saw evidence of eroded mountains, dry land which had once been sea, and sediment and rocks at the bottom of the ocean. After ten years of study he published his findings in his book ''Theory of the Earth'' to document his claims of a much older Earth. <ref>http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/12861</ref><ref>http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14179</ref>

While met with initial controversy, over time much of Hutton's conclusions were borne out by observations collected from around the world during the rise of the British Empire and in the [[Royal Geographic Society]]. Based upon mounting evidence in 1830, Sir [[Charles Lyell]] published the first of what would eventually grow into twelve editions of ''Principles of Geology''. Charles Lyell reported geological processes occurring every day. He documented geological process which have occurred during the recorded history of man. By inference he concluded that geological processes must have occurred before the recorded history of man.<ref>http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9049503/Sir-Charles-Lyell-Baronet</ref><ref>http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/klmno/lyell_charles.html</ref> In time, most geologists came to agree with his theory of [[uniformitarianism]].  

While met with initial controversy, over time much of Hutton's conclusions were borne out by observations collected from around the world during the rise of the British Empire and in the [[Royal Geographic Society]]. Based upon mounting evidence in 1830, Sir [[Charles Lyell]] published the first of what would eventually grow into twelve editions of ''Principles of Geology''. Charles Lyell reported geological processes occurring every day. He documented geological process which have occurred during the recorded history of man. By inference he concluded that geological processes must have occurred before the recorded history of man.<ref>http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9049503/Sir-Charles-Lyell-Baronet</ref><ref>http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/klmno/lyell_charles.html</ref> In time, most geologists came to agree with his theory of [[uniformitarianism]].