Do Earth's Rocks Look Old? | The Institute for Creation Research

Do Earth's Rocks Look Old?

Some might argue that Earth’s rocks are obviously ancient even apart from radioisotope dating results. In response to creationist claims, they might ask, “If the earth was created just 6,000 years ago, then why does it look so old?” But does Earth really look old?

Many people see rock layers like the ones in Grand Canyon and immediately assume they’re millions of years old. But does anything about the rocks themselves indicate vast ages? If you think the answer is yes, take a moment and try to explain why you think that’s the case. Saying “Well, everyone knows the rocks are old” is not a good answer because then you have to ask “How is it that people ‘know’ this?”

The answer is indoctrination, plain and simple. Growing up, we’re taught this repeatedly through books, television shows, movies, and the educational system. So, it’s hardly surprising that many people reflexively think it’s obvious that rock layers are millions of years old. But is that conclusion drawn from scientific data, or is it a conditioned response to years of evolutionary claims?

Think about it. If someone is told since childhood that Grand Canyon rock layers are millions of years old, at some point this person mentally associates those rocks with “millions of years.” Later, when he is shown pictures of Grand Canyon, it seems obvious its rocks are extremely ancient.

However, this conclusion is based on circular reasoning: “Grand Canyon is millions of years old. And because it’s millions of years old, its rocks are also millions of years old. Therefore, Grand Canyon rocks look that old because they are that old!” The person thinks the rocks look old because he’s been told they’re old. At no point did anyone make an argument for why millions-of-years-old rocks look like Grand Canyon rocks—this was simply assumed.

Creation scientists would argue that clues within these rocks strongly suggest their water-deposited strata were laid down quickly and catastrophically, not slowly over millions of years. These clues include fossils embedded through multiple rock layers, lack of erosion between flat rock strata, and tightly folded layers.1-3

The carving of Grand Canyon is also best explained as a rapid, catastrophic process that didn’t take millions of years.4 Even recent erosion of the freshly deposited sediments in nearby Lake Mead resemble a miniature Grand Canyon, with vertical cliffs and slopes. These cliffs formed just in the last few decades.5

Many scientists claim radioisotope dating methods prove Earth’s rocks are millions of years old. However, these are calculated ages based on assumptions about the past. Creation researchers have shown that many of these assumptions are flawed. Different radioisotope dating methods give different ages for the same rocks, and age estimates often contradict both eyewitness testimony and common sense.6

Creationists have long pointed out that Earth doesn’t really look old. It is covered by a relatively thin layer of water-deposited rocks over much of its land surface, and more than 70% of its surface is underwater. Earth looks flooded, just as it should if the worldwide Flood described in Genesis was a real, historical event. Earth’s rocks don’t look old because they aren’t old.

References

  1. Morris, J. D. 2013. Soft-Sediment Deformation: Recent Flood Evidence. Acts & Facts. 42 (10): 16-17.
  2. Morris, J. D. 2009. A Classic Polystrate Fossil. Acts & Facts. 38 (10): 15.
  3. Thomas, B. 2019. Does Palo Duro Canyon Show Deep Time? Acts & Facts. 48 (9): 20.
  4. Clarey, T. 2018. Grand Canyon Carved by Flood RunoffActs & Facts. 47 (12): 10-13.
  5. Clarey, T. 2019. Observations Support Grand Canyon Flood Origin. Acts & Facts. 48 (11): 9.
  6. Cupps, V. R. 2019. Rethinking Radiometric Dating: Evidence for a Young Earth from a Nuclear Physicist. Dallas, TX: Institute for Creation Research.

* Dr. Jake Hebert is Research Associate at the Institute for Creation Research and earned his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Cite this article: Jake Hebert, Ph.D. 2020. Do Earth's Rocks Look Old?. Acts & Facts. 49 (1).

The Latest
NEWS
The Origin of Eukaryotes
Eukaryotes are multicellular organisms that contain diverse differentiated cell types. Within almost every cell there are subcellular compartments called...

CREATION PODCAST
Water vs. Wind: The Controversial Coconino | The Creation Podcast:...
Welcome to the sixth episode in a series called “The Failures of Old Earth Creationism.” Many Christians attempt to fit old...

NEWS
Fossil Fish Finally Filmed
The bizarre lobe-finned coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) “that flourished some 350 million years ago”1 continues to be a thorn...

NEWS
The Mosasaur: A Giant Sea Dragon
Mosasaurs (order Squamata) were massive marine lizards that were common in the pre-Flood oceans. Therefore, it is not surprising that their fossils...

DAYS OF PRAISE DEVOTIONALS
Summer 2025
...

NEWS
Was Life Detected on a Distant Planet?
There was celebration, albeit briefly, for the discovery of potential life on a planet called K2-18b, which is 124 lightyears away from Earth. The...

NEWS
Ichthyosaur Graveyard Explained by the Flood
Ichthyosaurs are marine reptiles that occur globally in the same rock layers as dinosaurs. Specimens with babies support the idea that they gave live...

CREATION PODCAST
What Do We Do With Geology's Unconforming Features? | The Creation...
Welcome to the fifth episode in a series called “The Failures of Old Earth Creationism.” Many Christians attempt to fit old...

NEWS
Freshwater Fish Fossil in Australia
Yet another fish fossil has been discovered. This one was found in the Australian desert and was dated by evolutionists to be “15 million years...

NEWS
May 2025 ICR Wallpaper
"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans...