Proposal
There is clear evidence that impacts have occurred on Earth. To evaluate the possibility of a large number of impacts occurring during the Flood, it is important to consider their geophysical effects. The major effects include powerful shock waves that could trigger mineralogical crystal structure changes in the 400-660 Km depth region in the mantle. This could trigger subduction of the preflood ocean floor as suggested by Dr. John Baumgardner. A large number of impacts would also vaporize great quantities of water, some of which would condense as rain. Huge quantities of dust would be ejected by the impacts into the stratosphere. This would lead to low light levels for approximately 3 to 6 months and cold temperatures at the surface for a few months after this. Many other local and regional catastrophic effects would be produced by the impacts, including large tsunami waves, unusual winds, and possibly acid rain. It is concluded that though impacts would make the Flood more violent and more uncomfortable for Noah and his family, it would be a survivable event and is not in conflict with the chronology of the Flood as given in Genesis.
Keywords
Impacts, Flood, cratering, astroblemes, plate tectonics, catastrophe, extinctions, dust, atmosphere
Print Reference
Pages 567-580
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Recommended Citation
Spencer, Wayne R.
(1998)
"Geophysical Effects of Impacts During the Genesis Flood,"
Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism: Vol. 4, Article 43.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/icc_proceedings/vol4/iss1/43