The call of catastrophes. (influence of mass extinction theory on future science)(75th Anniversary Supplement)

From: Science News | Date: March 1, 1997| Author: Monastersy, Richard | Copyright information

The 1973 discovery of evidence indicating that a meteor or comet striking the Earth triggered the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period is likely to have tremendous influence on future science. The debate between uniformitarianism and catastrophic change will remain a central question.

In the fall of 1973, a young geologist named Walter Alvarez explored a limestone gorge just outside the medieval walls of Gubbio, Italy. Chipping away at the layers of rock with his hamm...

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