Definitions
Fossils that are assumed to represent a certain period in earth's past
What are index fossils?
If a paleontologist finds only fossil algae in a layer of rock, roughly how old does the paleontologist think the rocks are?
What is 55 million years or older?
Why is the geological column considered evidence for evolution?
It indicates that early in earth's history, there were only simple life forms. As time went on, the geological column indicates that more and more complex life forms started to appear.
What did the Mount Saint Helens eruption have that a major flood would also have?
Mud flows!
What are three problems with catastrophism that were discussed?
9. Catastrophists have offered no good explanation of unconformities between rock layers laid down by the flood
R. Catastrophists cannot explain certain fossil structures that look like they were formed under normal living conditions, which would not exist during the flood.
K. Catastrophists have not yet explained the enormous chalk deposits we find in terms of the flood
A theory stating that all life on earth has one or a few common ancestors that existed a long time ago
What is the theory of evolution?
The layer with the fish should be on the bottom, and the layer with the mammals should be on the top.
Why is the geological column not really evidence for evolution?
It is not real evidence. Since it is constructed with assumptions, the evidence is only good if the assumptions are valid.
What is so important about the Cumberland Bone Cave when it comes to the question of uniformitarianism versus catastrophism?
Because it is excellent evidence for a world-wide flood and is a major problem for the uniformitarian viewpoint.
Why does the fossil record offer no evidence for evolution?
The fossil record contains no fossils that are undeniable, intermediate links.
A theoretical picture in which layers of rock from around the world are meshed together into a single, unbroken record of earth's past
What is a geological column?
What do the data from Mount Saint Helens tell us about the time it takes to form stratified rocks?
Stratified rock can form rapidly.
Do fossils require millions of years to form?
NOOOOO!
Why does the fossil record offer evidence for the idea that God created each plant and animal individually?
The fossil record contains no fossils that are undeniable, intermediate links.
How are index fossils used by uniformitarian geologists?
What is to determine what time period a layer of rock represents?
If you see a canyon with a river flowing at the bottom of it, should you assume that the river eroded the canyon?
NOOOOO!
What is a paraconformity?
An unconformity that does not really exist in a geological formation but uniformitarians believe must exist because of the fossils found in the formation.
How is the geological column constructed?
By comparing layers of rock found in various parts of the world using index fossils and the principle of superposition, geologists order the layers into one big column that represents all of earth's geological history.
On a geological scale, was the Mount Saint Helens eruption a major catastrophe? What does that tell you about the kinds of geological formations that could be formed in a major catastrophe?
This tell us that a major catastrophe would most likely result in larger deposits of stratified rocks and larger canyons.
List at least four problems with uniformitarianism as discussed in the text.
Z. Too many fossils in the fossil record
X. Fossils such as the tyrannosaurus rex bone that contain soft tissue are hard to understand in the uniformitarian framework
7. Fossil graveyards with fossils from many different climates are hard to understand in the uniformitarian view
M. Index fossils are called into question by the many creatures we once thought were extinct but we now know are not
H. Uniformitarianism must assume the existence of paraconformitiesP. Uniformitarianists must believe that evolution occurred, and there is no evidence for evolution