The underlying theory which is foundational to current geological thinking is:

neptunism
plutonism
uniformitarianism
catastrophism

uniformitarianism.

Did you know?

Did you know that the study of Earth's geological history is guided by various theories? One notable theory is neptunism, which proposes that rocks and minerals formed primarily from the cooling and solidification of ancient oceans. Another theory, plutonism, suggests that volcanic activity and the crystallization of molten rock played a central role in shaping the Earth's crust. However, the most widely accepted theory today is uniformitarianism, which asserts that geological processes occurring in the present have also shaped the Earth's past and will continue to shape its future. Conversely, the theory of catastrophism posits that major geological events, such as floods or earthquakes, caused abrupt and dramatic changes in Earth's history. These theories provide vital frameworks for understanding our planet's dynamic geological processes.