AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Hutton and Lyell helped scientists recognize that Earth is many millions of years old, and the processes that changed Earth in the past are the same processes that operate in the present. hypothesis about the geological forces that shaped Earth.

Detailed explanation-2: -And, unlike his predecessors, Hutton cited verifiable observations to support his ideas. Although Hutton developed a comprehensive theory of uniformitarian geology, Charles Lyell (1797–1875) became its principal advocate. Lyell was successful in interpreting and publicizing uniformitarianism for society at large.

Detailed explanation-3: -Lyell argued that the formation of Earth’s crust took place through countless small changes occurring over vast periods of time, all according to known natural laws. His “uniformitarian” proposal was that the forces molding the planet today have operated continuously throughout its history.

Detailed explanation-4: -Answer. Answer: Over time, subterranean heat and pressure transformed the sediment into rock and then a force caused the strata to buckle, fold and become vertical. Here, he added, was irrefutable proof the Earth was far older than the prevailing belief of the time.

Detailed explanation-5: -Lived 1726 – 1797. Prior to his work it was generally accepted in the West that the earth was about 6, 000 years old, based on a literal interpretation of the Bible’s timescale.