The work's subtitle was "An attempt to explain the former changes of the Earth's surface by reference to causes now in operation", and this explains Lyell's impact on science.
Ο υπότιτλος του έργου ήταν "An Attempt to Explain the Former Changes of the Earth's Surface by Reference to Causes now in Operation", και αυτό εξηγεί τον αντίκτυπο του Λάιελ στην επιστήμη.