Which of the following is an example of the principle of uniformitarianism?
A) It is not possible to know how Earth processes have changed overtime, therefore it is not possible to deduce how Earth's ancient landforms evolved.
B) The processes by which streams carve valleys at present are the same as those that carved valleys 500 millions years ago.
C) Catastrophic events, such as major landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic episodes, are the primary drivers of geomorphological change.
D) The Earth's geological history is mostly uniform and homogenous, existing now as it mostly always has with the exception of minor recent changes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of uniformitarianism suggests that the same geologic processes that operate today have also operated in the past, and therefore the present is the key to the past. Choice B reflects this principle by stating that the processes by which streams carve valleys now are the same as those that did so millions of years ago, implying that the same natural laws have operated over time.

Which of the Following Is an Example of the Principle