By finding one origin for shark teeth from two eras by stating natural laws ruling the present also ruled the past, Steno planted seeds for uniformitarianism, the idea that the past was shaped by processes observable today.
Ao descobrir a origem dos dentes de tubarão, de duas eras diferentes,, ao estabelecer que as leis naturais que governavam o presente também governavam o passado., Steno lançou as senentes do uniformitarismo, a ideia de que o passado era formado por processos observáveis hoje.