Cuvier attempted to explain layers of rock and extinction as shown by fossils, with a the idea referred to as catastrophism. Provide a detailed response on what he meant and how that fits in with modern geology.
Ans- Catastrophism was a theory developed by George Cuvier based on paleontological evidence in the Paris basin . Cuvier was there when he observed something peculiar about the fossil record. Instead of finding a continuous succession of fossil , Cuvier noticed several gaps where all evidence of life would disappear and then abruptly reappear again after a notable amount of time. Cuvier recognised these gaps in the fossil succession as mass extinction events. This led Cuvier to develop a theory called catastrophism. Catastrophism states that natural history has been punctuated by catastrophic events that altered that way life developed and rocks were deposited.
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