Theories of Geological Change
Theories of geological change explain how the Earth's surface evolves over time. One prominent theory is plate tectonics, which suggests that the Earth's outer shell is divided into several large plates that move and interact, causing earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains. This movement is driven by forces within the Earth, such as heat from the core.
Another important theory is uniformitarianism, which posits that the processes shaping the Earth today, like erosion and sedimentation, have been occurring in a similar manner throughout geological history. This principle helps scientists understand past geological events by studying current natural processes.