Counsels on Christian Worldview

Counsel #8 — Bioturbation

Picture: Counsel #8 — Bioturbation CCW 145.1

Creature burrowing and plant root traces in rock layers are called bioturbation. This occurs when living things (bio) churn up (turbate) the sediment, leaving evidence of their activities. Extensive research on bioturbation in the modern world provides a background for studying fossilized bioturbation in ancient rocks. Radiometric dates suggest that most sediment in the geological column was deposited very slowly, typically less than a millimeter deep per year. If that is accurate, rocks took a very long time to form, and would show significant bioturbation, leaving little or no evidence of distinct sediment layers. However, some researchers over several years, studied bioturbation in 37 rock formations across the geological column, documenting sediment distribution. Ninety-seven percent of these rocks showed no bioturbation — or very few burrows (scale one), and only 0.09 percent showed extensive bioturbation — almost all the surface was bioturbated (index four). The evidence indicates rapid sediment deposition with the only viable explanation being it occurred during a global flood — as organisms didn’t have time for bioturbation to take place. Why haven’t other researchers noticed this?^[219] CCW 145.2

“So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive.” Genesis 7:23 NKJV CCW 145.3

“God designed that the discovery of these things should establish faith in inspired history.” Ellen White in Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 112 CCW 145.4

Reflect: Why do you think so many of today’s scientists are opposed to considering the biblical flood as viable? CCW 145.5