Geomagnetic Intensity Decay: The Fit of the Data
A review of Chapters 3 and 4 in the book, Scientists Confront Creationism. Creationism is roundly criticized for poor arguments. Published in Origins v. 11, n. 2.
A review of Chapters 3 and 4 in the book, Scientists Confront Creationism. Creationism is roundly criticized for poor arguments. Published in Origins v. 11, n. 2.
NASA is planning to send a satellite to study Jupiter and take measurements of its atmospheric composition. Published in Origins v. 11, n. 1.
A period of unusual cold in the Northern Hemisphere extended from about 1450 to around 1850, known as the Little Ice Age. The causes are not well understood, but could have included variation in solar output and/or volcanic activity. Published in Origins v. 10, n. 2.
Some rocks show magnetic properties that align with the present geomagnetic field, while others show a reverse alignment. This is taken to indicate that the earth's geomagnetic field has reversed many times during earth history. Patterns of magnetic alignment have been used to correlate geologic layers and to support the concept of plate tectonics. Much remains to be understood concerning the causes and rates of magnetic reversals. Published in Origins v. 10, n. 2.
Radioisotope ages are calculated from ratios of certain atoms. The isotopic ratios can be precisely measured, but the calculation of age from that ratio involves assumptions that may vary depending on the philosophical orientation of the investigator. Published in Origins v. 10, n. 2.
Mount St. Helens, the once beautiful mountain with a blue forest-ringed lake at its feet, is now a shattered remnant of its former self and the lake is stark and foreboding. But this loss is partially compensated by the information this volcano is giving us, not least of which is a glimpse of what could have happened to many trees during the Genesis flood. Continuing research will undoubtedly enlarge and refine this picture. Published in Origins v. 10, n. 1.
This paper introduces the basics of magnetism, the magnetic field of the earth and how the rocks can record the ancient magnetic field of the earth. Published in Origins v. 10, n. 1.
A review of the book, Christianity and the Age of the Earth. The book presents a biased viewpoint against recent creation, but does point out some serious challenges that confront recent creationists. Published in Origins v 10, n. 1.
El Niño is an interannual catastrophic event caused by massive amounts of warm water flowing in from the mid-Pacific instead of the more normal northerly warm current. These events have a 6-8 year cycle, Published in Origins v 10, n. 1.
The cause of the 1908 Tunguska explosion in Russia remains somewhat mysterious. The most probable explanation is that a small comet exploded in the air and produced a blast wave that uprooted thousands of trees and killed many reindeer. Published in Origins v. 9, n. 2.
The picture that emerges from all the data that relate to cosmic chronology appears to be one of dynamic physical processes operating over extended periods of time, during the last 4.5 billion years of which discrete entities of the Solar System have been in existence. This suggests the word "earth" in Genesis 1 may refer to the land surface of the planet, and not to the planet itself. Published in Origins v. 8, n. 1.
Dates based on amino-acid racemization and uranium radioactive decay were quite different, with preference given to the radiometric dates. Published in Origins v. 8, n. 1.
A number of factors could affect the relation of C-14 concentration to real time. The author discusses the effects on C-14 dates of cosmic ray intensity, geomagnetic field strength, water vapor concentration, and dilution by the biosphere carbon. Published in Origins v. 6, n. 1.
A review of the book, Principles of Isotope Geology. This is an authoritative textbook on radioisotope dating that provides useful background information, regardless of philosophical persuasion. Published in Origins v. 6, n. 1.
The effects of glaciers are well-dccumented in modern and Pleistocene sediments. Some Precambrian and Paleozoic sediments show some features similar to those of modern glaciation, but there is some controversy over whether the features are the result of glaciers, submarine landslides, lahars, turbidity currents, etc. Published in Origins v. 6, n. 1.
Experimental evidence shows that wood can petrify in a few years or less when immersed in mineral-rich water. Published in Origins v. 5, n. 2.
The presence of various kinds of megabreccias in the geologic column, showing in some cases the transport of extremely large clasts, indicates energy levels on a scale that staggers our imagination. Published in Origins v. 5, n. 1.
Radiometric dates are subject to uncertainties due to the assumptions inherent in the method and to the effects of non-natural changes in the earth's crust on the third day of creation and during the biblical Flood. Published in Origins v. 4, n. 2.
Tektites are formed from molten target rocks by an extraterrestrial impact. Australian tektites dated at about 700,000 years are found resting on soil dating less than 10,000 years old. This discrepancy is unresolved at present, and provides an opportunity for further research that could be very significant for the question of radiometric dating. Published in Origins v. 4, n. 2.
A new journal, Catastrophist Geology, has begun publication. Published in Origins v. 4, n. 2.