Four observations testify that the receding waters of the global Flood were instrumental in the creation of the rocks and the landscape at TRNP.
1. Extensive Pancaked Bedding
The stacked sediments in the park are beautifully colored individual beds that extend as far as the eye can see.
Q: What river system today spreads thin layers of sediment, many a few feet thick or less, over such vast areas, stacking them like
pancakes?
--Rivers carve channels, but we don’t see many channels cut into these layers.
Only broad and extensive flows of water can spread the thin layers we observe in TRNP.
Only broad and extensive flows of water can spread the thin layers we observe in TRNP.
Plus, many of the beds contain ripples, cross-beds, and evidence of soft-sediment folding and slumping. All of these features tell us the sediments were deposited quickly by fast-moving water. A better interpretation is that these rocks were laid down during the receding phase of the Genesis Flood.
2. Flat Coal Beds Proclaim the Flood
Along the South Unit’s scenic loop trail are sites like Coal Vein Trail and Scoria Point Overlook. These reflect the many thin lignite (coal) beds within the sedimentary deposits of the park. Scoria, sometimes called clinker, is a term used for rocks altered by the heat emitted
when adjacent coal layers get cooked underground. Many lignite beds were ignited by lightning strikes. Scoria is often dark red or black and is bubbly-looking.
The conventional interpretation says the coal in TRNP was deposited millions of years ago when this area was a swamp. But the near perfectly flat tops and bottoms of the coal beds tell a different account that supports the Biblical Flood.
2. Flat Coal Beds Proclaim the Flood
Along the South Unit’s scenic loop trail are sites like Coal Vein Trail and Scoria Point Overlook. These reflect the many thin lignite (coal) beds within the sedimentary deposits of the park. Scoria, sometimes called clinker, is a term used for rocks altered by the heat emitted
The conventional interpretation says the coal in TRNP was deposited millions of years ago when this area was a swamp. But the near perfectly flat tops and bottoms of the coal beds tell a different account that supports the Biblical Flood.
--Real swamps, where plants grow in place, show roots protruding downward, disrupting the bottom of the layers.
--Instead, these flat-bottomed lignite beds were caused by the transportation of massive vegetation mats torn loose from pre-Flood lands by the Flood. They were immediately buried and compressed by mudflows, volcanic ash, and sand slurries into the flat layers we observe.
3. Petrified Forest, a Biblical View
The Petrified Forest Trailhead sign tells visitors that
"Sixty million years ago, this land looked similar to today’s Florida Everglades. Abundant water and a warmer climate promoted the growth of large trees. Giant petrified stumps and logs are remnants of this ancient wetland."
As with most park interpretations, the sign gets some things right, but the Genesis Flood is a better explanation.
3. Petrified Forest, a Biblical View
The Petrified Forest Trailhead sign tells visitors that
"Sixty million years ago, this land looked similar to today’s Florida Everglades. Abundant water and a warmer climate promoted the growth of large trees. Giant petrified stumps and logs are remnants of this ancient wetland."
As with most park interpretations, the sign gets some things right, but the Genesis Flood is a better explanation.
Trees that are very similar to today’s bald cypress, magnolia, and sequoia are found as rootless stumps and branchless logs all along the trail. Many are in a near-upright position. But the trees were clearly transported by water, like the material that makes up the lignite beds was. They did not grow in these positions or they would still have their roots embedded in the layers below.
--Instead, these trees were torn loose from where they grew, transported by floodwaters, and deposited rapidly. Gravity pulled the heavier ends down when they settled. These tree remnants were likely carried by massive sediment flows draining off the pre-Flood uplands to the north.
--Instead, these trees were torn loose from where they grew, transported by floodwaters, and deposited rapidly. Gravity pulled the heavier ends down when they settled. These tree remnants were likely carried by massive sediment flows draining off the pre-Flood uplands to the north.
Dissolved silica in groundwater from the volcanic ash layers led to their fossilization, replacing the original tissues and making petrified wood."
ICR
