The Grand Canyon: Monument to the Flood
Our scale model of the canyon includes all 5000+ feet of strata, from the Vishnu Schist of the granite gorge at the bottom of the canyon to the Kaibab limestone at the canyon's rim. The question needs to be asked: What could have laid down these remarkably pure, flat layers, over such a broad area?
The Secular Explanation
Below is the typical explanation for how the canyon's layered were formed.
How reasonable is this explanation? How likely is it that 1000's of square miles of rock could be moved above and below sea level multiple times over without obvious warping, twisting, erosion or fracture?
The creation/flood view makes much more sense. On this view, most of the world's horizontal strata were formed by liquefaction, the process by which water sorts sediments based on size and density.
The Cocconino Sandstone
Below is a photo of the Cocconino sandstone, a 400 ft thick, crossbedded sandstone situated near the rim of the Canyon. Notice the person at the bottom right of the picture for scale.
The Creation position has been challenged by the evolutionist community by positing that the Cocconino is actually the fossil remains of a dry sand dune. On this view, the Cocconino represents a desert environment that existed in the Colorado Plateau region millions of years ago. The creationist on the other hand believes that this layer was laid down by water during the year long flood of Noah's day. Which view is correct?
Amphibian Tracks in the Cocconino Sandstone
The claim that the Cocconino represents the remains of a dry, desert environment is contradicted by the presence of amphibian tracks found within that layer. Notice the detailed claw marks that have been preserved. How could such fine detail have been preserved in a dry dune? It appears as though the Cocconino was laid down by water fairly quickly. Some of the amphibian trails continue in one direction while the toes on the individual track point in another. These trails suddenly end, only to pick up again many feet away. The obvious conclusion to be drawn would be that the little animal was fighting against a current, which finally scooped him up and deposited him downstream.
