Glacialism

/ˈɡleɪʃəlɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The geological theory that ice ages and glaciers played a major role in shaping Earth's landscape and climate history.

Etymology

From glacier combined with the suffix -ism denoting a belief or theory. Developed in the 19th century when scientists recognized glacial evidence in rock formations.

Kelly Says

Glacialism revolutionized geology—before the 1850s, nobody believed glaciers could move and reshape mountains, but glacialism explained boulders stranded in weird places that couldn't have gotten there any other way!

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