1. Plural of catastrophism; theories or beliefs that major geological or historical changes result from sudden, violent events rather than gradual processes.
Usage: geology; history of science

Examples

• Early catastrophisms attributed the formation of mountains to sudden upheavals rather than slow erosion.
• Geologists debated catastrophisms versus gradualism in explaining Earth's geological history.
• The theory of catastrophisms fell out of favor as uniformitarianism gained acceptance in the 19th century.
• Some catastrophisms invoked massive floods to explain fossil deposits and rock formations.
• Modern science has incorporated elements of catastrophisms, recognizing that both gradual and sudden events shape our planet.