Geomorphology indicates the GRF was deposited in the Flood
by Michael J. Oard
Many aspects of geomorphology indicate that the Green River Formation (GRF) was
deposited during the Flood. The massive deposition and erosion of the GRF immediately
suggests the Flood catastrophe and not post-Flood processes. Pediments and the long-distance
spread of well-rounded quartzites also points to the Flood. Furthermore there are
many climatic problems if the GRF and associated formations were post-Flood. Based
on multiple criteria, it is believed that the Flood/post-Flood boundary is in the
‘late Cenozoic’ over the western United States.
I will briefly address several of John’s comments in his second presentation,1 in the general order presented.
Cenozoic sedimentation shift
Figure 36. Block diagrams showing the development of pediments
along the sides of mountains during the downvalley drainage of floodwaters (drawn
by Peter Klevberg).
* Figures are numbered continuously through all the articles in this
forum.
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The shift from continental Mesozoic sedimentation to more local and regional
Cenozoic sedimentation is what one would expect during the Flood. While in
contrast, we do not expect to see widespread sheet erosion and rapid basin filling
in a post-Flood world.
Basin fills
Whitmore makes the case that the basins filled rapidly but more time than a year
is required. Indeed, processes that at first glance seem to require more than a
year are a significant challenge to a Flood model. However, similar time challenges
are present throughout all the sedimentary rocks.
The amount of post-Flood catastrophism required for all the activity suggested in
the GRF basins is immense. The filling of these huge basins with thousands of metres
of sediment seems orders of magnitude too large for post-Flood processes.
Erosion of basin fills
The huge erosion of these basin fills also seems to be orders of magnitude too large
for post-Flood processes. Furthermore, the deposition of present-day river sediments
is commonly in river flood plains as well as in the ocean. We should see
copious amounts of downstream valley sedimentation from the GRF, if the erosion
was post-Flood.
Climate problems
There are numerous climatic anomalies if the GRF were post-Flood. There is a monstrous
amount of volcanism represented in the GRF and the overlying Bridger Formation that
would have cooled the land by reflecting sunlight back to space from ash and aerosols
in the stratosphere. If there were snow in the surrounding mountains, winters in
such valleys would be cold.
Secular researchers have assumed that the warm Eocene climate, deduced mostly from
fossils, is real, and they have been fudging their models to find the warming. One
variable in the climate simulations that results in warmth during the Eocene is
a constantly warm sea surface temperature.2
Such warm temperatures keep the air warm, whereas if sea surface temperature were
a variable in the models, the ocean temperature would likely cool resulting in a
cooler atmosphere.
As far as delaying the post-Flood Ice Age, I cannot see how this could happen, because
the ocean water was the warmest (most rapid evaporation) and the stratosphere likely
would have the highest amount of ash and aerosols from the Flood (causing much cooler
summers over mid and high latitude continents). If the Ice Age was delayed, say
200 years, the oceans would have significantly cooled and the post-Flood volcanism
would likely have waned to the point it would have been difficult to start the Ice
Age.
Pediments and quartzite
Pediments seem like obvious effects of strong currents moving off the land during
the Recessive Stage of the Flood (figure 36*).3
Uniformitarian scientists have failed to explain the origin of pediments, and it
seems impossible for post-Flood catastrophic processes to produce such unique, worldwide
geomorphological features in the post-Flood period. Regarding the particular pediments
on the GRF, I suggest they formed during the transition from enclosed basins to
the current through-flow drainage. I believe pediments are an indication that the
sediments they sit on are from the Flood. Interpretations of these sediments cannot
be used to infer a post-Flood origin of pediments.
The quartzites in southern Wyoming are very likely from south-east Idaho and the
Uinta Mountains. However, the quartzites in the northern Green River Basin likely
are from central Idaho.4 Some of these
quartzites are on top of GRF sediments indicating the GRF sediments are from the
Flood.
Flood/post-Flood boundary
I certainly agree that we should not use fossils for dating. However, I view the
geological column as a general sequence with lots of exceptions. As far as determining
the boundary, I rely on geological evidence, especially geomorphology. I have always
maintained that a case can be made that the Cenozoic, including the Eocene, was
from early in the Flood, late in the Flood and post Flood in various areas.5
I believe geomorphology provides a much better and more direct indication of the
Flood/post-Flood boundary than sedimentology. The latter is too equivocal and uniformitarian
interpretations dominate the literature. From geomorphology, it appears that practically
all the Cenozoic sediments all over the world, except possibly the ocean basins,
are from the Flood. But we must examine every area on its own merits.
That is why I believe the overwhelming evidence from the GRF and associated formations,
as listed in my first submission6 indicates
that the GRF was deposited in the Flood. Because of tracks and nests found in the
GRF, I believe that much of the GRF and associated sedimentary and igneous rocks
were likely deposited in the late Inundatory Stage of the Flood.7
The erosion of the area, including the spreading of quartzite, the formation of
pediments and the cutting of water gaps took place in the Recessional Stage.
Related article
References
- Whitmore, J.H., The geologic setting of the Green River Formation,
Journal of Creation 20(1):72–78, 2006.
Return to text
- Sewall, J.O. and Sloan, L.C., Less ice, less tilt, less chill:
the influence of a seasonally ice-free Arctic Ocean and reduced obliquity on early
Paleogene climate, Geology 32:477–480, 2004.
Return to text
- Oard, M.J., Pediments formed by the Flood: evidence for the Flood/post-Flood
boundary in the Late Cenozoic, Journal of Creation 18(2):15–27,
2004. Return to text
- Oard, M.J., Hergenrather, J. and Klevberg, P., Flood transported
quartzites—east of the Rock Mountains, Journal of Creation 19(3):76–90,
2005. Additional papers in this series are in press. Return to text
- Oard, M.J., Vertical tectonics and the drainage of Floodwater:
a model for the Middle and Late Diluvian period—Part II, CRSQ
38(2):89–93, 2001. Return to text
- Oard, M.J., The case for Flood deposition of the Green River
Formation, Journal of Creation 20(1):50–54, 2006. Return to text
- Walker, T., A biblical geological model; in: Walsh, R.E. (Ed.),
Proceedings 3rd International Conference on Creationism, Creation
Science Fellowship, Pittsburgh, pp. 581–592, 1994. Return to text
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