Current geological thinking most closely follows:

uniformitarianism
neptunism
plutonism
catastrophism

uniformitarianism

Did you know?

Did you know that current geological thinking is most strongly influenced by four major theories? These theories are uniformitarianism, neptunism, plutonism, and catastrophism. Uniformitarianism suggests that the Earth's geological processes have operated in the same gradual manner over long periods of time. Neptunism, on the other hand, proposes that rocks originated from the ocean through a sedimentation process. Plutonism focuses on the formation and intrusions of igneous rocks, particularly from volcanic activity. Lastly, catastrophism suggests that Earth's geological features are primarily the result of sudden and catastrophic events. These theories help scientists in understanding Earth's history and shaping current geological knowledge.