Sir Charles Lyell,the father of geology,influenced Darwin with his principle of catastrophism,the view that extinct species were destroyed by fires,floods,and other catastrophes.His geological research was also critical in Darwin's own formulations because it
A) set the foundations for molecular dating techniques.
B) confirmed that the world was only 6,000 years old.
C) influenced the work of Darwin's own grandfather, who would eventually set young Darwin on the path of scientific research.
D) confirmed Linnaeus's comprehensive and still influential taxonomic system, which was key to formulating a mechanism that drives evolution.
E) cast serious doubt on the belief that the world was only 6,000 years old, allowing for a much broader time span for the gradual biological changes to take place as seen in the fossil record.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sir Charles Lyell's principle of uniformitarianism, which proposed that geological processes occur gradually over long periods of time, allowed for the validity of a much broader time span for biological evolution. This directly influenced Darwin's own understanding of the gradual changes taking place in species over time as seen in the fossil record. Therefore, choice E is the best answer.

Sir Charles Lyell,the Father of Geology,influenced Darwin with His Principle