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Flood model
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
Flood models have been put forth based on theoretical explanations of the mechanism that were affective in producing the Biblical flood of Noah. Most theories suggest a possible source of the flood water that covered the Earth or the geological processes behind its subsequent recession.
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Theoretical basis
- Main Article: Springs of the great deep
According to the Bible the flood of Noah was caused by a forty day rain that was accompanied by an upsurgence of subterranean waters. It is largely presumed that the latter was the principal supply of flood waters that covered the earth.
"In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights." - Genesis 7:11-12
The "springs of the great deep" mentioned in the passage above are believed to be a pre-flood subterranean water much like those that still exist today in remnant form. Unknown to many, much of the land under our feet resides upon massive bodies of water such as the Ogallala aquifer. The Ogallala Aquifer resides under several states in the US, and supplies continuous spring water such as the famous Artesian Wells (et al. Geysers). Even though these aquifers are largely depleted, today 40% of the drinking water in the United States comes from these ancient ground waters. The flood possibly began when the earth's crust was fractured releasing subterranean caverns of water and magma. The earth now exists as a mass of plates, which may not have existed until the crust was intentionally broken by God releasing the subterranean water.
Hydroplate theory
- Main Article: Hydroplate theory
The hydroplate theory postulates that all land masses were positioned upon vast aquifers at the beginning of creation. It is believed these massive bodies of water were triggered to "burst-forth" and flood the earth. This theory has gained much credibility within the creation community due to the efforts of Walt Brown and his book titled In the Beginning.
In a series of interconnected subterranean chambers below the crust of the earth existed a layer of highly pressurized water. At the time of the flood, these waters broke through the crust as high pressure, hot geysers high above the atmosphere. The crust of the earth split apart forming the continental arrangement we have now. The atlantic ocean floor rose and on the opposite side of the earth the crust sank forming the pacific ocean. While it is a fairly popular theory, it does not find much support among creationary geologists.
Catastrophic plate tectonics
- Main Article: Catastrophic plate tectonics
Catastrophic Plate Tectonics (CPT) shares some ideas of plate tectonics, but on a much faster scale. During the flood the viscosity of the mantle become reduced by several magnitudes causing pre-flood oceanic plates to sink into the deep mantle. This set up currents in mantle which broke apart former continental land masses and drug them across the surface of the earth. The former oceanic plate masses would stop sinking upon reaching the bottom of the mantle. The viscosity of the mantle would revert to normal, mantle currents would stop moving and the continents would come to a stop.
This violent activity would cause massive tsunami flooding. Steam jets from high tempeature exposed mantle would rise above the atmosphere. Condensed water vapor would rain on the planet. The newly exposed oceanic floors would be at higher elevations, flooding the continents.
This is a popular theory among creationary scientists and geologists, but it has its critics and problem. The removal of heat created by the process, as with all flood models, remains a problem.
Asteroid impacts
In 1998, just 4 years after Comet Shoemaker-Levi 9 impacted Jupiter, the Asteroid Impact model was introduce at the 4th International Conference on Creation.[1] This model takes into consideration the 170+ impact craters of all sizes that exist throughout the flood's geologic record. These impacts during the year long flood represent an unprecedented and massive amount of asteroid impact activity. The largest asteroid impact alone could have caused, magnitude 11 earthquakes, 3 km high tsunami, global torrential rains, mega-hurrican winds, and global winter. The combined effect of all the known impacts would be of a cataclysmic catastrophe scale. It is estimated that actual number of asteroid impacts during the flood could have exceed 1000.
This theory proposes that the surface waters of the globe found in Oceans, Seas and other bodies of water are the source for impact-tsunami flooding of continents resulting from asteroid impacts. Asteroid impacts would also eject massive amounts of liquid and vapor water into and above the atmosphere which would then return as catastrophic rains.[2]
The vast amount of energy injected into the planet by the impacts is suggested to have also triggered Catastrophic Plate Tectonics. This model has some problems, such as the removal of generated heat, but is generally too new to be well discussed.
Vertical plate tectonics
- Main Article: Vertical plate tectonics
Instead of triggering CPT, asteroid impact is suggested to have caused local to regional vertical depression of the crust. Thus large areas would be be flooded due to differences in elevation.
This model, known as vertical plate tectonics is also, very new. It too must deal with removal of excess heat and provide good explanation of more geologic features of the earth.
Canopy theory
- Main Article: Canopy theory
The canopy theory proposes that the floodgates of the heavens from the passage below was the primary source of the flood waters. The waters are believed to have been held in the form of a canopy of vapor or solid state matter high in the upper atmosphere. The canopy was formed during the the creation week and was destroyed at the time of the flood. The 40 days of rain were the result of condensation of the water vapor into liquid rain water. The amount of water vapor was to supply enough water to cover the mountains by 15 cubits of water.
"In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights." - Genesis 7:11-12
It is believed that this canopy provided the protection before the flood enabling the long lifespans before the flood. Others factors, such as the post-flood rainbow are pointed to that suggest significant change in our atmosphere took place as a result of this catastrophe.
This theory has fallen into disfavor for an assortment of reasons that are explained in the main article of canopy theory. Not the least of these is the latent heat of condensation and the need to dissipate the heat to space in a short time.
Mantle theory
Water also exists in the upper parts of the mantle. Science has found that a mineral called wadsleyite that contains enough water to fill 30 of our oceans. This is more than enough to flood the earth to the highest mountain.[3]
Comet theory
In 1696, William Whiston published A New Theory of the Earth, in which he proposed an account of the creation of the world. Whiston was the first to propose that the global flood was caused by the water in the tail of a comet.
Notes
- ↑ Spencer, W.R., 1998, "Geophysical Effects of Impacts during the Genesis Flood", Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Creation
- ↑ Spencer, Wayne, 1998, Geophysical Effects of Impacts during the Genesis Flood, ICC Proceedings, p.9 "The large amounts of water vapor ejected into the atmosphere by impacts would clearly contribute to the rains during the Flood"
- ↑ Deep waters by Lou Bergeron. New Scientist, 30 August 1997
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