Which geological concept was pioneered by James Hutton?

James Hutton is often referred to as the father of modern geology, and his pioneering concept of uniformitarianism is central to our understanding of geological processes. Uniformitarianism posits that the same natural laws and processes that operate in our present-day environment have been consistent throughout Earth's history. This idea contrasts with earlier notions that Earth's features were formed by catastrophic events or that no connection existed between current geological processes and the past.

Hutton's work emphasized that slow, gradual processes, such as erosion and sedimentation, play a significant role in shaping the Earth's landscape over vast periods. This perspective laid the groundwork for later geological theories and helped scientists understand the age of Earth, as well as its dynamic and ever-changing nature. By advocating that the present is the key to the past, Hutton established a foundational principle that remains essential in geology and related fields today.