Catastrophism is a geological theory that suggests the Earth's landscape has been shaped by a series of sudden, short-lived, and intense events, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and meteorite impacts. This concept contrasts with uniformitarianism, which posits that the same gradual processes observed today have been at work throughout Earth's history. Historically, catastrophism was used to explain the extinction of species, including the disappearance of the dinosaurs. It emphasizes that these dramatic events can lead to significant changes in the environment and biodiversity, influencing the course of evolution and the formation of geological features.