neocatastrophismn.
/ˌniːə(ʊ)kəˈtastrəˌfɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˈˌnioʊkəˈtæstrəˌfɪz(ə)m/ The view or theory, similar in some respects to the earlier ideas of catastrophism, that geological features and the evolution and extinction of living organisms have been influenced to a great extent by sudden and powerful natural events occurring at intervals, rather than having been mainly the result of slow continuous processes; a modified form of catastrophism.
ΚΠ
1937 Probl. Soviet Geol. 7 Contents N. S. Shatsky—On Neocatastrophism.
1966 BioScience 16 39/2 Cope, as a neo-Larmarckian [sic], Osborn with his concept of aristogenesis, Schindewolf and catastrophism or neocatastrophism.
1977 A. Hallam Planet Earth 187 In recent years there has been something of a swing back, if not to catastrophism, then to what may be called ‘neocatastrophism’.
1980 Progress Physical Geogr. 4 392 Like catastrophism in the early nineteenth century, the term neocatastrophism in the mid-twentieth century was introduced into geoscience by palaeontologists concerned with sudden and massive extinctions of life forms.
1993 Nature 9 Sept. 115/1 Even the most staid of modern geologists are invoking sedimentary surges, explosive phases of organic evolution, volcanic blackouts, continental collisions and terrifying meteoroid impacts. We live in an age of neocatastrophism.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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