Which scientist is known for the study of paleontology and the concept of catastrophism?

The study of paleontology and the concept of catastrophism are largely attributed to Georges Cuvier. Cuvier was a prominent early paleontologist who proposed that Earth's geological features and the fossil record could be explained by a series of catastrophic events, such as natural disasters that led to the extinction of species. He believed that these catastrophes occurred at different periods throughout Earth's history, resulting in the observable layers of rock and the fossils found within them.

Cuvier's work laid the groundwork for understanding the extinction of species and the changes in life forms over time, contrasting with the idea of gradual evolution. His emphasis on catastrophic events as shaping forces in the history of life helped to establish the field of paleontology as we know it today.

Other scientists mentioned, such as Lyell, Darwin, and Wallace, focused more on gradualism, evolution through natural selection, and the mechanisms driving biodiversity, rather than on the concept of catastrophism.