Geology theories
In geology, catastrophism theorises that the Earth has largely been shaped by sudden, short-lived, violent events, possibly worldwide in scope. This contrasts with uniformitarianism (sometimes called gradualism), according to which slow incremental changes, such as erosion, brought about all the Earth's geological features.
4 episodes
Episodes in this category also belong to the following categories:
Ageing the Earth
Melvyn Bragg discusses the Age of the Earth, and how to make sense of four and half billions years of time.
20 November 2003
Featuring: Richard Corfield, Hazel Rymer, Henry Gee
Catastrophism
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Catastrophism, the idea that the geological record was shaped by a series of natural disasters early in the Earth's history.
30 January 2014
Featuring: Andrew Scott, Jan Zalasiewicz, Leucha Veneer
Plate Tectonics
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how the geological theory of plate tectonics revolutionised our understanding of the planet on which we live
24 January 2008
Featuring: Richard Corfield, Joe Cann, Lynne Frostick
The Earth's Origins
Melvyn Bragg discusses the origins of the Earth, from creation theory to modern scientific thought.
5 July 2001
Featuring: Simon Winchester, Cherry Lewis, John Cosgrove