QuestionDecember 17, 2025

42. Explain how the work of geologists James Hutton and Charles Lyell influenced Darwin's thinking.

42. Explain how the work of geologists James Hutton and Charles Lyell influenced Darwin's thinking.
42. Explain how the work of geologists James Hutton and Charles
Lyell influenced Darwin's thinking.

Solution
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Answer

Hutton and Lyell’s concepts of gradual, continuous geological change and an ancient Earth helped Darwin realize that evolution could happen slowly over long periods, making his theory scientifically plausible. Explanation 1. Identify Hutton and Lyell’s Key Ideas Hutton proposed uniformitarianism—Earth’s features formed by slow, continuous processes. Lyell expanded this, emphasizing gradual geological change over immense time. 2. Connect to Darwin’s Thinking These ideas suggested Earth was very old, giving enough time for evolution by natural selection to occur gradually.

Explanation

1. Identify Hutton and Lyell’s Key Ideas <br /> Hutton proposed uniformitarianism—Earth’s features formed by slow, continuous processes. Lyell expanded this, emphasizing gradual geological change over immense time.<br /><br />2. Connect to Darwin’s Thinking <br /> These ideas suggested Earth was very old, giving enough time for evolution by natural selection to occur gradually.
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