The scenario described, where a significant and sudden event (the asteroid impact) leads to dramatic changes in the Earth's biological and geological landscape (the extinction of most dinosaurs), is an example of C. catastrophism. This principle suggests that the Earth's geologic features and life forms have been shaped by a series of sudden, short-lived, and catastrophic events.
The image below shows a recreation of an asteroid impact thought to have happened about 66 million years ago.
Image courtesy of NASA
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Many scientists think that this single event caused the extinction of most of the dinosaurs, which led to the rise of mammals. Which geologic principle is this an example of?
A.
gradualism
B.
geographism
C.
catastrophism
D.
uniformitarianism
1 answer
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