Which concept refers to the belief that the world was created multiple times, with large catastrophes interspersing these creations?

Which concept refers to the belief that the world was created multiple times, with large catastrophes interspersing these creations?

• A. Monogenism
• B. Binomial nomenclature
• C. Polygenism
• D. Catastrophism

Answer: (D)

Catastrophism describes the belief that Earth’s history includes multiple creations punctuated by dramatic, world-altering catastrophes. Proponents held that huge events—like floods, megavolcanic eruptions, or other global disasters—wipe out most life and lay down new conditions, after which a fresh creation period begins. This explains abrupt changes seen in the fossil record and the appearance of new species in distinct layers, rather than a slow, continuous buildup of change. The idea contrasts with uniformitarianism, which emphasizes slow, constant processes over long timescales. The other terms refer to different topics: human origins (whether all humans come from a single source or multiple ones) and a system for naming species. They’re not about repeated world-making followed by catastrophes, so they don’t fit the concept described here.

Catastrophism describes the belief that Earth’s history includes multiple creations punctuated by dramatic, world-altering catastrophes. Proponents held that huge events—like floods, megavolcanic eruptions, or other global disasters—wipe out most life and lay down new conditions, after which a fresh creation period begins. This explains abrupt changes seen in the fossil record and the appearance of new species in distinct layers, rather than a slow, continuous buildup of change. The idea contrasts with uniformitarianism, which emphasizes slow, constant processes over long timescales.

The other terms refer to different topics: human origins (whether all humans come from a single source or multiple ones) and a system for naming species. They’re not about repeated world-making followed by catastrophes, so they don’t fit the concept described here.