catastrophism

ca.tas.tro.phism

n.（名词）
Geology The doctrine that major changes in the earth`s crust result from catastrophes rather than evolutionary processes.
【地质学】 灾变说：一种认为地壳的重大变化是源于灾难而非进化过程的学说
The prediction or expectation of cataclysmic upheaval, as in political or social developments.
巨变的预测：如在政治或社会发展中对剧烈变动的预测或预期

【引伸】
catas.trophist
n.（名词）