A Progressive Global Flood Model Confirmed by Rock Data Across Five Continents

Over 3000 stratigraphic columns have been compiled across North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia using oil wells, measured sections and seismic data. Phanerozoic fossil-bearing rocks are divided into six packages of sedimentation based on the “mega-sequences” concept of Sloss. Maps of individual megasequences across the continents and the total volumes show the earliest megasequences have the least extent and lowest average volume of sediment. Subsequent megasequences show progressively more coverage and more sediment volume. Most continents show a maximum peak in both coverage and thickness in the in the 4^th or 5^th megasequence.

We interpret these data to represent a progressive Flood that aligns with Genesis 7 and with the predictions of catastrophic plate tectonics (CPT). Initial plate motion and the creation of small amounts of new seafloor spread the earliest megasequences across limited portions of the continental crust. These earliest megasequences stack one on top of the another in the same locations. Continued creation of new seafloor pushed the water progressively upward. This process peaked near the end of the 5^th sequence (Zuni) where we observe the maximum extent of sediment and maximum volume of sediment globally. Subsequent cooling of the new seafloor caused ocean basins to sink, drawing water off the continents. This caused a shift in sedimentation to the offshore as the Flood rapidly receded during the 6^th megasequence (Tejas).

A progressive Flood model also provides a framework for the fossil record. The earliest three megasequences (Sauk, Tippecanoe and Kaskaskia) seem to have inundated only shallow marine environments as the fossils within these megasequences are almost exclusively marine. We interpret these were deposited in the first 40 Days of the Flood. As the water rose higher, floating the Ark (on or after Day 40) and flooding the dry land, the first massive coal seams appear and the first land animal fossils appear in great numbers. This process continued flooding higher elevations, depositing the Absaroka and Zuni megasequences between Days 40-150 of the Flood, until the water covered the highest hills.

The beginning of the Flood is often marked by the rocks of the Sauk megasequence, and at times coincides with the Cambrian explosion. In other places, later megasequences were deposited directly on crystalline basement, such as the Absaroka and Zuni. These locations represent the onset of flooding at these sites as the waters rose high enough to inundate the higher land elevations. However, in some locations, particularly near Late Proterozoic volcanic activity, the Flood record appears to have begun prior to the Sauk megasequence. These pre-Sauk rocks may represent sediments and volcanic rocks deposited and extruded during the earliest days or weeks of the Flood.

Rock data also indicate that the Middle East, North Africa and much of Europe was still inundated through the time of deposition of most of the Upper Cenozoic (Tejas) sediments. Stratigraphic columns across Syria and Iraq show continuous carbonate, salt and/or marine sand deposition from the Cretaceous up through, and including, the Miocene and sometimes the Pliocene level. These rock data suggest the post-Flood boundary is high in the Cenozoic.

CPT and a progressive Flood is also supported by strontium ratios. Higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values are primarily caused by increased weathering of the continental crust, and its influx into the oceans. Lower ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values are likely from formation of new ocean crust and hydrothermal activity. The observed global ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio drops progressively throughout the Phanerozoic until reaching its lowest values in the Zuni megasequence (about the Jurassic level), closely matching the stratigraphic data mapped globally as both peak simultaneously in the Zuni megasequence, one low and one high (an inverse relationship).

We suggest changes in the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio were primarily driven by the production of new seafloor. During deposition of the earliest megasequences, only small amounts of new seafloor were added. This pushed sea level up slightly at the beginning of the Flood year, depositing the first three megasequences and lowering the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio. As more seafloor was created, the water rose higher, depositing the later megasequences, until the water reached its highest level (and lowest ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values) during the Zuni megasequence. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios rose again during the Tejas as less seafloor was created and sea level dropped.

The global stratigraphic record documents a progressive Flood that was limited in the first 40 Days of the Flood year. Data indicate the Flood peaked at about the K-Pg boundary on Day 150. CPT provides the most viable mechanism for the Flood through the production of new seafloor. Shifts in the global ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio confirm that rapid production of new seafloor likely controlled the increase in the water level until peaking on Day 150, matching the stratigraphic data.