catastrophism

简明释义

英[kəˈtæstrəfɪzəm]美[kəˈtæstrəˌfɪzəm]

n. [地质] 灾变说；劫数难逃论

英英释义

单词用法

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反义词

例句

1.The most popular alternative to catastrophism is the gradualistic approach.

最著名的灾变论的对立理论就是渐变论。

2.The most popular alternative to catastrophism is the gradualistic approach.

最著名的灾变论的对立理论就是渐变论。

3.The theory of catastrophism suggests that Earth's geological features are shaped by sudden, short-lived events.

地质灾变理论认为，地球的地质特征是由突然、短暂的事件塑造的。

4.In contrast to catastrophism, uniformitarianism argues that slow, gradual processes shape the Earth.

与地质灾变理论相反，均变论认为缓慢的渐进过程塑造了地球。

5.Some researchers believe that catastrophism can explain the sudden appearance of complex life forms in the fossil record.

一些研究人员认为，地质灾变可以解释化石记录中复杂生命形式的突然出现。

6.The concept of catastrophism has been influential in understanding mass extinction events.

地质灾变的概念在理解大规模灭绝事件中具有重要影响。

7.Many scientists initially supported catastrophism to explain the extinction of the dinosaurs.

许多科学家最初支持地质灾变理论来解释恐龙的灭绝。

作文

Throughout history, the Earth has undergone numerous changes that have shaped its landscape and influenced the evolution of life. One of the theories that attempt to explain these changes is known as catastrophism. This concept posits that the Earth's features are primarily the result of sudden, short-lived, and violent events, such as natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods. The idea of catastrophism contrasts with another theory called uniformitarianism, which suggests that the same gradual processes we observe today, such as erosion and sedimentation, have been at work throughout geological time.The origins of catastrophism can be traced back to the 18th and 19th centuries when scientists were trying to make sense of the fossil record and the geological formations they observed. Early geologists, including Georges Cuvier, argued that the Earth had experienced several catastrophic events that led to the extinction of species and the creation of new geological layers. According to Cuvier, these catastrophic events were responsible for the sudden appearance and disappearance of species in the fossil record, suggesting that life on Earth was not a continuous process but rather marked by periodic upheavals.While catastrophism was once the dominant view in geology, it began to lose favor as more evidence supported the idea of gradual change over long periods. However, the theory still holds relevance today, particularly in understanding certain geological phenomena. For instance, the impact of meteorites, which can cause massive destruction and lead to significant changes in the environment, is an example of a catastrophic event that aligns with the principles of catastrophism. The extinction of the dinosaurs around 66 million years ago is often attributed to such an impact, which drastically altered the climate and ecosystems of the planet.Moreover, catastrophism has implications beyond geology; it also influences our understanding of climate change and environmental crises. The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, can be viewed through the lens of catastrophism. These events remind us of the fragility of our environment and the potential for sudden, drastic changes that can disrupt ecosystems and human societies alike.In conclusion, while the theory of catastrophism may have evolved since its inception, it remains a crucial part of our understanding of Earth's history and the forces that shape it. By studying both catastrophic events and gradual processes, scientists can gain a more comprehensive view of how the planet has changed over time and how it might continue to change in the future. The interplay between catastrophism and uniformitarianism highlights the complexity of geological processes and serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our world. As we face ongoing environmental challenges, the lessons from catastrophism can guide us in preparing for and mitigating the impacts of future catastrophes.

在历史上，地球经历了许多变化，这些变化塑造了其景观并影响了生命的演变。一个试图解释这些变化的理论被称为灾变论。这个概念认为，地球的特征主要是突然、短暂和剧烈事件的结果，比如地震、火山喷发和洪水等自然灾害。灾变论的观点与另一个理论相对立，后者称为均变论，均变论认为我们今天观察到的相同渐进过程，如侵蚀和沉积作用，在整个地质时间中一直在发挥作用。灾变论的起源可以追溯到18世纪和19世纪，当时科学家们试图理解化石记录和他们观察到的地质构造。早期地质学家，包括乔治·居维叶，认为地球经历了几次灾难性事件，这导致物种灭绝和新的地质层的形成。根据居维叶的说法，这些灾难性事件负责化石记录中物种的突然出现和消失，暗示地球上的生命不是一个连续的过程，而是以周期性的动荡为标志。虽然灾变论曾是地质学中的主导观点，但随着越来越多的证据支持渐进变化的思想，它开始失去青睐。然而，这一理论在今天仍然具有相关性，特别是在理解某些地质现象时。例如，小行星的撞击可能导致大规模的破坏，并对环境造成显著变化，这是与灾变论原则相符的灾难性事件的一个例子。大约6600万年前恐龙的灭绝通常归因于这种撞击，它极大地改变了地球的气候和生态系统。此外，灾变论还超越了地质学，对我们理解气候变化和环境危机也有影响。自然灾害如飓风、野火和洪水的频率和强度不断增加，可以通过灾变论的视角来看待。这些事件提醒我们环境的脆弱性以及突然、剧烈变化的潜力，这些变化可能会扰乱生态系统和人类社会。总之，尽管灾变论的理论自其诞生以来已发生演变，但它仍然是我们理解地球历史及其塑造力量的重要组成部分。通过研究灾难性事件和渐进过程，科学家可以获得对地球如何随时间变化以及未来可能继续变化的更全面的看法。灾变论与均变论之间的相互作用突显了地质过程的复杂性，并提醒我们世界的动态本质。面对持续的环境挑战，灾变论所传达的教训可以指导我们为未来的灾难做好准备并减轻其影响。