© Cedarville University International Conference on Creationism. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of Cedarville University. Gollmer, S.M. 2023. A rapid ice age and transition to ice sheet growth. In J.H. Whitmore (editor), Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Creationism, pp. 267-279. Cedarville, Ohio: Cedarville University International Conference on Creationism. A RAPID ICE AGE AND TRANSITION TO ICE SHEET GROWTH Steven M. Gollmer, Cedarville University, School of Science and Mathematics, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, Ohio 45314 USA gollmers@cedarville.edu ABSTRACT For the past half-century, creationists have explored different explanations for glacial erosion features across the Northern Hemisphere. The best explanation to date is a single post-flood ice age with multiple surges. The challenge with this model is the limited time available between the end of the Flood and the time of Abraham, which appears to be post ice age. Oard (1979) proposed a short post-flood ice age developing due to warm oceans, volcanic aerosols, and barren surfaces. Performing computer climate simulations, Spelman (1996), Vardiman (1998), Gollmer (2013), and Gollmer (2018) verified that enhance precipitation occurs at higher latitudes due to a warm Arctic Ocean. However, this precipitation is in the form of rain. In addition, the precipitation primarily falls over oceans rather than land, which is necessary for the buildup of ice sheets. Using a climate model with a dynamic atmosphere and ocean, this paper reports on a multi-century climate simulation that begins with warm oceans and an enhanced stratospheric aerosol layer. The length of the simulation allows oceans with a uniform temperature of 24 °C to transition towards modern day values. Initial cooling of the oceans results in surface water penetrating to great depths. After sufficient cooling, the surface circulation decouples from the deep ocean due to the development of a thermocline. This transition in ocean circulation may have implications when interpreting proxy climate data. Once the oceans sufficiently cool, snow can accumulate at higher latitudes and initiate the buildup of ice sheets. Ocean circulation, precipitation patterns, and annual snow accumulation are examined to evaluate the feasibility of an ice age initiated by a warm ocean. The timing of ice sheet initiation also provides a reference point from which to associate other post-flood events. Finally, limitations to this modeling method are discussed and future research opportunities are proposed KEY WORDS Climate Modeling, Ice Age I. INTRODUCTION When developing a young earth creationist (YEC) model, we carefully use Scripture to provide insights on processes and timing of events. We recognize as Schaeffer (1972) does, that “where it (the Bible) speaks of the cosmos, science, what it says is true. Likewise, where it touches history, it speaks with that I call true truth, that is propositional, objective truth” (p. 76). Unfortunately, Scriptures do not provide a comprehensive narrative of earth history. It is, therefore, up to us to propose scenarios that synthesize what God has revealed about earth history with what we have learned about the lawfulness of God’s creation through science. Objecting to Lyell’ statement “the present is the key to the past” (Lyell 1833), scriptural geologists of the nineteenth century looked to the Genesis Flood to explain extensive geological deposits around the globe. Whitcomb and Morris’ (1961) The Genesis Flood: The Biblical Record and Its Scientific Implications systematized what was known of the Deluge and proposed solutions to objections to flood geology. In the subsequent half-century, progress was made across multiple fronts; including radiometric dating (Vardiman et al. 2005), plate tectonics (Austin et al. 1994), and sedimentology (Whitmore and Garner 2018). In each of these cases, rates of current processes are not a key to the past. This also applies to interpreting glacial features generated in the wake of the Flood. Although alternate explanations for extensive glacial features in North America, Europe, and Asia are provided by Cox (1979), Molén (1990), and Oard (1997), most YECs agree with Whitcomb and Morris that a post-flood ice age provides the best explanation. Unlike secular models, that used to posit four ice advances in North America over the course of a million years (Luthi et al, 2008), Oard (1979) proposes a single ice age of duration 500 years. In this scenario, the post-flood ocean is warm due to heat released by the rapid tectonic motion of continents, volcanism, and turbulent mixing. The postflood world underwent significant mountain building and volcanic activity. This results in stratospheric aerosols, which have a cooling effect on the atmosphere. Oard (1990) elaborates on his scenario and provides the details needed to test it using climate models. Using the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Climate Model 1 (CCM1), Spelman (1996) tested the sensitivity of the atmosphere to warm post-flood oceans. Setting sea surface temperatures to 30 °C, regardless of latitude, resulted in 9th 2023
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