Which concept suggests that geological processes are ongoing and not drastically different from those in the past?

Uniformitarianism is the correct concept that emphasizes the idea that geological processes occurring today are consistent with those that have occurred in the past. This principle suggests that the same natural laws and processes that operate in our present-day environment have been operating throughout geological time. It posits that events like erosion, sedimentation, and volcanic activity happen at a uniform rate and that these processes shape the geological features we observe on Earth today.

This concept is fundamental in geology and helps scientists understand the Earth's history by applying contemporary observations to interpret past events. By recognizing that natural processes are consistent over time, researchers can infer the conditions that existed in the past, which aids in reconstructing the history of the planet.

Other concepts, while related to geology, do not convey the same notion. Catastrophism, for instance, focuses on the idea that Earth's landscape has been shaped by a series of sudden, short-lived, and significant events, contrasting with the gradual processes emphasized by uniformitarianism. Transformationalism does not pertain specifically to geological processes and instead relates more to evolutionary change in species. Species adaptation refers to the changes that occur within living organisms over time to better fit their environment, which is a different context altogether.