-----------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1996 by the CREATION RESEARCH SOCIETY (CRS), Inc.
-----------------------------------------------------------
*Creation Research Society Quarterly*, Volume 33, Number 3
(December, 1996)
ARTICLES:
^^^^^^^^
note: Article titles are in quotes.
Abstracts are enclosed by [[ ]].
"A Theory for the Volcanic Origin of Radioactive Shales and
Clays: Examples from the Southeastern United States." by Carl F.
Froede, Jr., B.S., P.G., pp. 160-168.
[[ An explanation is offered, within the young-earth Flood model,
for the origin of radioactive shales and clays via the alteration
of volcaniclastic material (ash deposits) which contain
radioactive elements. This is based on the similarity of
radioactive elements identified as leaching from altered volcanic
ash deposits in the western United States. The Southeastern
United States has many marine organic rich "black" shales,
massive clays, and sandstone layers which contain radioactive
elements at levels significantly higher than the surrounding
strata. The radioactivity associated with those clastics is
derived from several radioactive isotopes including uranium
(234U), thorium (232Th), potassium (40K), and radium (226Ra).
Two specific stratigraphic units, the Chattanooga Shale of
Tennessee and various clay units within the massive clastic
deposits of the Hawthorn Group of west central Florida, are
proposed as examples where radioactive volcaniclastics have
altered in-situ to yield radioactive shales, clays. ]]
"Observations of Fossil Material and Charcoalized Wood in the
Dakota Formation in Colorado and Wyoming." by Edmond W. Holroyd,
III, Ph.D. pp. 170-175.
[[ The plant and trace fossils of Dinosaur Ridge, Morrison,
Colorado, are given further descriptions. Most of the plant
fossils in this outcrop of the Dakota Formation are in the form
of broken pieces of charcoal or as casts, which often record the
wood grain. Charcoal fragments mixed within the sand are
interpreted as being deposited under catastrophic conditions.
Rocks containing the charcoal along bedding planes are
interpreted as being deposited under conditions slow enough to
allow buoyancy to separate the plant matter from the rock
detritus.
Charcoal fragments were also present in the upper third of the
Dakota Formation in the local region near Dinosaur Ridge, at
Canon City, Montrose, and Fort Collins, Colorado, and at
Newcastle, Wyoming. The charcoal appears to be catastrophically
deposited in the region of Dinosaur Ridge and at Newcastle.
Further observations and research may fit these widespread
deposits into the middle to upper part of Flood strata. ]]
"Catastrophism and Modern Geology: Modeling the Placer Generation
Process." by Alexander V. Lalomov, Ph.D. and Serguei E.
Tabolitch, pp. 186-190.
[[ We present a mathematical model for coastal submarine placer
(CSP) generation under lateral coastal drift conditions. We test
the model against field data and propose a method of predicting
CSP parameters which has possible economic application for
locating placer deposits. The model provides a method to
estimate the time and rate of CSP formation. The model yields an
age for a tin-bearing sediment in northeastern Siberia to be less
than 40,000 years. This estimate is approximately 1000 times
less than age given by the standard evolutionary geology time
scale. A logical extension of this work is to two and three
dimensions. This would make possible more detailed comparison of
the models with field data and produce improved methods for
estimating placer parameters. ]]
"The Sands of Time: A Biblical Model of Deep Sea-Floor
Sedimentation." by Larry Vardiman, Ph.D., pp. 191-198
[[ Modern evolutionism requires that the earth be very old. One
line of evidence cited is the length of time required to deposit
the observed thickness of sea-floor sediments far from any direct
continental source. Using the low current depositional rates
results in a minimum age of tens of millions of years. The model
of deposition presented in this paper differs from the
conventional model primarily in the rate of deposition, which is
asserted to have peaked at an enormous level during and after the
biblical Flood and is presumed to have fallen at an exponential
rate to the present low level. Because biblical evidence
strongly supports a short historical period between the Flood and
the present, the shape of the decay curve is very steep. Data
from the Deep-Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) were reinterpreted for
this paper. By estimating the thickness of sediment
corresponding to this interval and asserting a set of boundary
conditions, an analytical model is presented that estimates the
age of sediment from a particular depth at a given borehole.
If the modern evolutionary model of deposition is correct, the
water temperature evidenced by fossils would show only small,
random variations. If a catastrophic event such as the Flood
occurred, temporary warming of the water immediately after the
catastrophe should have occurred and may be detectable. Fossil
evidence of water temperature at the time of deposition is
believed by some researchers to correlate with the ratio of
oxygen isotopes of mass 16 and 18. Because foraminifera are
common in both present-day and ancient sediments and contain
oxygen in their carbonate skeletal remains, they are often
analyzed for the oxygen isotope ratio and an inferred water
temperature is calculated. Based on DSDP data from selected
boreholes, and plotted on a time scale modified by the analytical
model derived in this paper, a general cooling trend appears
plausible from the limited dataset. ]]
"An Introduction to Modern Uniformitarian and Catastrophic Plate
Tectonic Concepts." by John K. Reed, Ph.D.; Chris B. Bennett,
B.S.; Carl R. Froede, Jr., B.S., P.G.; Michael J. Oard, M.S.; and
John Woodmorappe, M.S., pp. 202-210.
[[ Within the last 35 years, a revolution in geology has occurred
through the advent, acceptance, and application of the unifying
geodynamic theory of plate tectonics. Acceptance of plate
tectonics followed the development of post-World War II
geophysical datasets. The concept has proven popular both in and
out of the geologic profession, as evidenced by its ubiquitous
presence in earth science teaching at all levels, and its
presentation in popular media. Plate tectonic interpretations
are not restricted to uniformitarian geology. Recent
publications advocate derivative catastrophist interpretations of
plate tectonics.
Catastrophist and uniformitarian interpretations share many
premises and conclusions. Therefore a concise analysis of more
voluminous evidence for and against uniformitarian plate
tectonics can be used as a shortcut to assess the credibility of
catastrophic plate tectonics. Ongoing questions regarding
uniformitarian plate tectonics offer reasons for skepticism of
catastrophic plate tectonics until a more thorough evaluation is
complete. ]]
"A Biblical Christian Framework for Earth History Research: Part
II -- Foundation and Method of Historical Analysis within the
Biblical Christian System." by John K. Reed, Ph.D., pp. 210-216.
[[ Although the naturalist-uniformitarian system and its
derivative view of earth history are demonstrably invalid, a
biblical Christian substitute is not logically a de facto
replacement. It must first succeed at the points of failure of
the naturalist system. In this paper I attempt to show that the
biblical Christian system is successful in passing these tests as
it demonstrates internal consistency in developing a framework
within which historical analysis can take place. Additionally,
the epistemological framework of the system is shown to integrate
geological models of earth history, separable from the system, in
a comprehensive approach to historical analysis. ]]
= "The Enigma of Sex and Evolution." by Jerry Bergman, Ph.D., pp.
217-223.
[[ A severe problem for evolution theory is to explain the
evolution of sexual reproduction and behavior. The theories
proposed include dual evolution, i.e., the sexes evolved
separately but greatly influenced each other's evolution.
Another major theory is sexual selection, a process by which
organisms directly influence each other's evolution. The
creationist model proposes that the sexes were designed to be
physically and mentally compatible with each other, and for
humans a harmonious physical and mental relationship will result
if the couple lives in harmony with the physical and mental
constraints of this design. ]]
PANORAMA NOTES
--------------
= "Can Evolutionists Now Explain the Earth's Magnetic Field?" by
D. Russell Humphreys, Ph.D., pp. 184-185.
= "CRSQ Volume 25: A Look Back." by Emmett L. Williams, Ph.D.,
pp. 198-200.
= "The Return of Lake Manly, Death Valley, California?" by Carl
F. Froede, Jr., B.S., P.G., pp. 224-228.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS
-----------------
= "President's Remarks." by Emmett L. Williams, p. 157.
= "Editors' Comments." by Gene Chaffin and George Howe, p. 158.
= "In Memoriam -- John W. Klotz." by Robert E. Gentet and David
A. Kaufmann, p. 159.
= "Lab Director's Report: Creation Research Society -- A Unique
Scientific Society." by John R. Meyer, p. 201.
= "Photo Essay -- Pig or Peccary?" by Emmett L. Williams, p. 229.
LETTERS
-------
= "Historical Seismic Activity in Florida." by Brian R. Rucker,
p. 157.
= "A Re-evaluation of Genesis 8:1-3." by Everett H. Peterson, p.
168.
= "Sudden Appearance of the Immune System in Sharks." by Wayne
Frair, p. 169.
= "Tropical Storm Alberto, 1994: Some Catastrophic Geologic
Consequences in Georgia." by Emmett L. Williams, Thomas L. Bruce,
and Jack R. Carson, p. 175.
= "Rapid Delta Formation -- Coastal Louisiana." by Emmett L.
Williams, p. 178.
= "The Red Fox in Montana and Alberta and the Uniformitarian
Geologic Column." by Peter Klevberg, p. 190.
= "Source of Flood Water." by R.H. Brown, p. 216.
BOOK REVIEW (reviewer)
-----------
= "The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind" by Mark Noll (John
Goertzen>, p. 182-184.
EDITORS' COMMENTS (p. 158)
-----------------
This issue of the Creation Research Society Quarterly has a
varied and rich range of subjects reflecting the increased
interest in creation worldviews that we have been experiencing
recently. In keeping with tradition, all articles and Panorama
Notes accepted for publication are subjected to peer review. The
editor obtains the opinions of the peer reviewers as a precaution
to ensure that the material in the Quarterly is technically
correct, and that it conforms to the type of subject matter that
is appropriate for a Creation Research Society publication.
However, the viewpoints expressed in the articles are often those
of the authors and not necessarily those of the editors, of the
CRS Board, or of the members in general. For example, in this
issue we have an article by five authors, with impressive
credentials, which urges caution with respect to the adoption of
plate tectonics paradigms within young-earth creationism. While
most would agree that caution is necessary, there are other
authors, with impeccable credentials, who are more in favor of
adopting catastrophic plate tectonics models, within the young-
earth framework.
Three other full-length articles in this issue treat the
sedimentation process within catastrophic models involving the
Genesis Flood. The article by Dr. Edmond Holroyd, III involves
detailed field work studying the deposition of charcoal together
with sand and other sediments, and possible explanations which
seem to require rapid processes. Two Russian geologists offer a
mathematical study of the time scale involved in the deposition
of tin placer deposits, principally on the Arctic coast of
Russia. In the same vein, Dr. Larry Vardiman offers a study of
process rates for the deposit of sediments on the ocean floor,
together with data indicating the temperatures of the water over
time. All three of these articles provide evidence that the
young-earth time frame is capable of handling these data.
Geologist Dr. John Reed continues his series on the
philosophical basis of creation-oriented geology. Readers will
appreciate the way he points out the features of the geological
record which the creation record can explain.
Dr. Jerry Bergman, in his typically thorough and wide-
ranging style, provides an interesting study of how the origin of
sex is better explained by invoking a designer than by appealing
to a random process of selection pressures.
Other short features, too numerous to mention, are included
in this issue, and we hope that the increased interest in
contributing to the creation viewpoint will continue. We also
trust that the readers and the authors of the CRS Quarterly will
redouble their efforts to promote this magazine because it
contains scientific evidence supporting the belief that God
created many separate kinds, that He did this with amazing
rapidity, and that He did so quite recently. Our attempts to
stand for God's truth in origins can be very important at a time
like this when even religious leaders are capitulating needlessly
to evolutionism.
-- Eugene F. Chaffin, Ph.D. and George F. Howe, Ph.D.
-----------------------------------------------
file: /pub/resources/text/crs/crsq: sum33_3.txt
.