Divine Revelation: Noah's Oxygen Mystery Unveiled Above the Mountains
Published: 27 June 2024
Did Noah Need Oxygen Above the Mountains?
The story of Noah's Ark in the Bible raises an interesting question: How did Noah, his family, and the animals on the Ark breathe when they were above the mountains? This question assumes that Mount Everest, which is currently 8,848 meters (29,028 feet) high, was already at that height during the time of the Flood. However, scientific evidence suggests that the earth's highest mountains, including Mount Everest, were once under the sea. This means that either the sea level rose to cover the mountains or the mountains themselves have since risen out of the sea.
Many creationist scientists propose that catastrophic movements of the earth's continental plates during and after the Flood resulted in the formation of mountains like the Himalayas. It is important to note that measurements indicate that these mountains are still rising today, albeit at a much slower rate. Therefore, it is likely that the current height of these mountains was not present during the Flood.
If we consider that some mountains may have existed before the Flood but not at the scale we see today, we can address the question of oxygen availability on the Ark. Firstly, it is worth mentioning that even if all ocean basins were raised and water covered mountains up to 3 kilometers (2 miles) high, there would still be enough air for breathing. The issue of oxygen availability only becomes relevant if we assume a flood depth of 9 kilometers (5.6 miles).
However, even in this worst-case scenario, there would be no problem with breathing on the Ark. Air pressure is determined by the weight of air above a particular point. If the water was 9 kilometers deep, it would displace and compress the air above it. The air would then sit at a height of 9 kilometers above the earth's former surface.
Considering that the surface area of the earth plus water would be greater than just the earth alone, the weight of the air would be spread over a larger area. This means that the air pressure would actually be reduced by less than 0.3%. To put this into perspective, it is like standing on top of a 30-meter (100-foot) building at sea level. Additionally, any changes in the force of gravity, which affect the weight of the air, would have a negligible impact on air pressure.
Therefore, it is clear that those aboard the Ark would have had no trouble breathing without the need for oxygen tanks.
Why This Matters
Understanding how Noah and his family could have breathed on the Ark provides insight into the feasibility of the biblical account of the Flood. It demonstrates that even in extreme scenarios, such as a flood depth of 9 kilometers (5.6 miles), there would be no issues with oxygen availability. This further supports the credibility of the Bible's description of Noah's Ark and the global flood.
Think About It
- How does the evidence for mountains once being under the sea align with the biblical account of the Flood?
- What does the fact that mountains like the Himalayas are still rising today tell us about the processes that occurred during and after the Flood?
- Consider the implications of the reduced air pressure above a hypothetical flood depth of 9 kilometers (5.6 miles). How does this information challenge conventional thinking about oxygen availability at high altitudes?