The Floating Forest Theory Sinks
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Society -> subcategory Religion.
The Floating Forest Theory Falls Apart
Overview
In the debate about coal formation, some young-earth proponents suggest that all coal seams originated during a single event: the great Flood. One theory they propose is the "floating forest" concept, prominently featured on the Answers in Genesis website by Carl Wieland. We will explore this idea through four main articles:1. "Too Much Coal for a Young Earth" by Gerhard Schnknecht and Siegfried Scherer
2. "Coal Beds and Noah's Flood" by Andrew Snelling
3. "Patterns of Ocean Circulation Over the Continents During Noah’s Flood" by John Baumgardner and Daniel Barnette
Exploring the Possibility of Floating Forests
The floating forest theory suggests that ancient, water-borne forests contributed to the formation of coal during the Flood. This notion is interesting, but there are logical issues. For example, not all plants with radial root patterns are water-borne. The Sequoia trees of California, among the world's tallest, have radial roots that only extend about six feet into the ground. Despite this, let’s hypothetically agree that floating forests could exist.The Floating Forest Theory vs. Geological Evidence
The floating forest theory is used to explain how over 230 coal beds in Germany's Ruhr district, spread across 4,000 meters of strata, could have formed during the 375 days of Noah's flood. The geological explanation, held by old-earth creationists, suggests these beds formed over millions of years with fluctuating sea levels. However, the young-earth theory involves forests sinking rapidly during catastrophic events, followed by sediment coverage.In this theory, floating forests must have sequentially sunk in the same spot 230 times within the flood's duration. This implies a highly organized process that seems implausible. Moreover, questions arise about the source of the sediment needed to cover these sunken forests.
Examining Theoretical Errors
In their article, Baumgardner and Barnette claim floodwaters moved at 70 meters per second, creating enough erosion to form these coal beds. However, this introduces two major flaws:1. Such rapid water movement would sink all floating forests immediately, not allowing for the orderly progression the theory requires. Accordingly, coal should comprise one layer, not multiple seams as observed worldwide.
2. With such strong currents, fine rock materials wouldn't settle on the ocean floor but remain suspended. Yet, between coal seams, we find fine-grained sandstones and limestones. The only way the theory holds is if divine intervention periodically calmed the waters, which is unsupported.
Other Considerations
If floating forests quickly became buried, you’d expect to find fossilized trees in rock layers above coal due to rapid preservation. However, evidence of such preservation is absent.Furthermore, floating forests likely followed ocean currents, potentially drifting into polar regions and freezing. Yet, no frozen forests have been discovered in polar ice.
Some argue that forests anchored to shores remained stable, but waves would eventually break them free, contradicting this theory. Additionally, trees couldn't withstand surf while standing 100 feet tall.
Conclusion
Articles like "Coal Beds and Noah's Flood" attempt to argue that all global coal could originate from plants during the Flood, but there's no viable method to support the model of 230 separate coal beds within one thick stratum. Young-earth theories suggest only thin coal layers should exist, contrary to evidence of multiple seams.Ultimately, the logical conclusion aligns with geologists: coal seams formed over millions of years.
References
- "Floating Forest" ([link](https://answersingenesis.org/home/area/Magazines/docs/cen_v18n1_forests.asp))- "Too Much Coal for a Young Earth" ([link](https://answersingenesis.org/docs/1233.asp))
- "Coal Beds and Noah's Flood" ([link](https://answersingenesis.org/docs/1137.asp))
- "Patterns of Ocean Circulation Over the Continents During Noah's Flood" ([link](https://icr.org/index.php?module=research&action=index&page=researchp_jb_patternsofcirculation))
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: The Floating Forest Theory Sinks.
You can browse and read all the articles for free. If you want to use them and get PLR and MRR rights, you need to buy the pack. Learn more about this pack of over 100 000 MRR and PLR articles.