Note: I will say this seems at least more or less correct, although I cannot vouch for all of the details. Ceratinly over the decades, I have read a lot in these areas: geology and evolution and formally studied the latter. However, that is also the problem; it has been decades. It is consistent with my understanding. As always, caveat lector.
Concept of Deep Time
The term "deep time" was popularized by the Scottish geologist James Hutton in the late 18th century. Hutton's revolutionary ideas challenged the prevailing notion of a young Earth and introduced the concept of geological time spans extending far beyond human comprehension. He famously stated, "The present is the key to the past," emphasizing the continuity of geological processes over immense periods.
Hutton's concept of deep time encompasses geological epochs spanning millions to billions of years. He proposed that the Earth's history should be understood in terms of gradual, uniform processes acting over vast stretches of time, rather than cataclysmic events occurring over short durations.
To put it into perspective, consider the difference between human history and deep time. Human civilization has only been around for approximately 10,000 years (in mainstream thinking)—a mere blink of an eye in geological terms. In contrast, deep time encompasses events such as the formation of the Earth around 4.5 billion years ago, the evolution of life over millions of years, and the shifting of continents over hundreds of millions of years.
Age of the Cosmos and Earth
Age of the Cosmos: According to current scientific understanding, the age of the cosmos, or the universe, is approximately 13.8 billion years. This age is derived from various observations and measurements, including the cosmic microwave background radiation, the rate of expansion of the universe (Hubble constant), and the ages of the oldest stars and galaxies.
Age of the Earth: Determining the age of the Earth is a complex scientific endeavor that has evolved over centuries. Presently, scientists estimate the age of the Earth to be around 4.54 billion years. This figure is derived from radiometric dating of meteorites and rocks from Earth's crust, as well as studies of lunar samples and other planetary bodies in the solar system.
In more recent times, the term "deep time" has been widely used in various scientific disciplines, particularly in geology, paleontology, and evolutionary biology. Scientists continue to employ this concept to convey the vastness of geological and evolutionary time scales.
One notable example is the renowned evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould. In his influential works, such as "Time's Arrow, Time's Cycle" and "The Structure of Evolutionary Theory," Gould extensively discusses the concept of deep time and its implications for understanding the history of life on Earth. He explores how the immense spans of geological time have shaped the diversity of life forms and the patterns of evolution we observe today.
Additionally, the term "deep time" frequently appears in discussions surrounding climate change, environmental science, and planetary science. Researchers in these fields use the concept to frame their studies within the context of long-term Earth processes and planetary evolution.
Overall, while James Hutton first popularized the term "deep time," its continued usage by scientists across disciplines underscores its enduring relevance in our understanding of the natural world.
References:
Hutton, J. (1788). Theory of the Earth. Edinburgh: Cadell.
Dalrymple, G. B. (1991). The Age of the Earth. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Weinberg, S. (2008). Cosmology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gould, S. J. (1987). Time's Arrow, Time's Cycle: Myth and Metaphor in the Discovery of Geological Time. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Gould, S. J. (2002). The Structure of Evolutionary Theory. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.