The Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Creationism (2023)

Figure 32. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio throughout the Phanerozoic superimposed on the diagrammatic sea level curve (Fig. 13). Note the close track of each. Lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios are directly caused by an increase in the amount of seafloor created. More seafloor, lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios (modified from Cupps and Clarey 2020). Figure 33. Progressive Flood model (diagrammatic) sea level curve and megasequences chart, showing Days 1, 40, 150 of the global Flood (modified from Johnson and Clarey 2021). a progressive Flood that corresponds to the Biblical text and the predictions of CPT. Data indicate the Flood started out with minimal flooding of the continents for the first 40 days but increased steadily until peaking at about the K-Pg boundary on Day 150 (Fig. 33). CPT provides the most viable mechanism to explain this sedimentary rock pattern as it provides a method to Flood the continents through the progressive production of new seafloor. The sedimentary record and CPT harmonize with the account of the Flood in Genesis. We conclude that the Flood began with tremendous volcanic activity and rifts that opened across the globe, creating individual tectonic plates that then began to move (Fig. 33). Only limited flooding and minimal plate tectonic activity (seafloor spreading) took place during deposition of the first three megasequences. This is supported by the lack of any preserved seafloor prior to the 4th megasequence (Absaroka). However, this early plate activity, although limited in extent, did generate numerous tsunamis waves. This resulted in the flooding of continental shallow seas and the burial of billions of marine fossils. By Day 40 of the Flood, the Biblical text reveals that the Ark began to float, implying that significant portions of the land must have been impacted also. We interpret this as the start of the Absaroka megasequence in the rock record (Fig. 33). Here, we find the first significant numbers of land animal fossils and the first extensive coal seams. More extensive plate tectonic activity was also occurring during the Absaroka, including the production of much new seafloor. In fact, the oldest preserved seafloor only extends back to the Absaroka megasequence. It was this new seafloor that pushed the water up high enough to begin flooding the land and floating the Ark. Most of the plants and animals in the Absaroka megasequence reflect coastal, wetland and lowland environments. The continual production of vast amounts of new seafloor creation continued into the Zuni megasequence, pushing the tsunami waves to their highest level and maximum extent. The stratigraphic data support this interpretation as the Zuni has the highest surface area coverage and the most volume of any megasequence globally. The end of the Zuni was likely about Day 150 of the Flood (Fig. 33). Furthermore, the Bible tells us the water crested at 15 cubits over the tops of the highest hills. Fast-moving tsunami waves wiped everything off the highest hills down to the bare crust. This left many regions of the continents devoid of sedimentary rock because 15 cubits of water cannot leave behind deposits thicker than several meters. After 4500 years, most of these thin sediments were likely eroded away, leaving just a few remnants. These are the so-called shield areas today, like the Canadian Shield, the West African Shield and the Brazilian Shield. As the Flood year advanced, CPT continued making new seafloor into the Tejas. However, at this point the water began to slowly subside as God brought a wind to blow the water from the land (Gen. 8:1). In addition, the oldest newly created ocean crust began to cool and sink, deepening the ocean basins. The net result was a steady diminishing in water level at the onset of the Tejas, steadily draining water off the land (Fig. 33). This sudden shift to the offshore resulted in the accumulation of the Whopper Sand in the Gulf of Mexico and CLAREY AND WERNER Progressive Flood model 2023 ICC 441

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=