Salty Seas Unveiling Young Earth Truths: A Christian Revelation

Salty Seas: Evidence for a Young Earth

The presence of salty seas is one of the many fascinating aspects of our planet, Earth. As the only place in the universe known to have liquid water, our oceans cover a significant portion of the Earth's surface. In fact, they make up about 71% of the total area and contain enough water to cover the entire planet to a depth of 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles) if the surface were completely flat[^1^]. However, despite its importance for sustaining life on Earth and its role in moderating climate, the ocean is too salty for humans to drink directly.

How did the oceans become salty?

To understand the age of the sea, it is crucial to examine how salts enter and leave it. Many processes contribute to the salinity of the ocean, but they do not easily remove salts from it. Therefore, the saltiness of the sea increases steadily over time. By determining the amount of salt in the ocean and analyzing the rates at which salts enter and exit it, we can estimate a maximum age for the sea.

This method was first proposed by Sir Edmond Halley, a colleague of Sir Isaac Newton, and later refined by geologists like John Joly[^2^][^3^]. More recently, geologist Dr. Steve Austin and physicist Dr. Russell Humphreys analyzed data from secular geoscience sources to calculate the quantity of sodium ions (Na+) in the ocean and its input and output rates[^4^].

Sodium Input

Austin and Humphreys found that approximately 457 million tonnes of sodium enter the ocean each year. This sodium comes from various sources such as rivers, which carry dissolved salts from land rocks, including sodium-rich minerals. Submarine groundwater discharge (SGWD), which was previously underestimated, also contributes significantly to sodium input. Recent studies measuring radium levels in coastal water show that SGWD can account for as much as 40% of the river flow[^5^][^6^].

Sodium Output

While some sodium is removed from the sea through processes like salt spray and ion exchange, the rate of sodium output is considerably lower than the input. Austin and Humphreys calculated that approximately 122 million tonnes of sodium leave the sea annually. Even when granting generous assumptions to evolutionists, the maximum possible rate in the past is estimated to be 206 million tonnes per year[^4^].

Estimating the age of the ocean

Considering the input and output rates of sodium, Austin and Humphreys calculated a maximum age for the ocean of less than 62 million years[^4^]. It is important to note that this is not the actual age, but rather an upper limit. This evidence is consistent with any age up to 62 million years, including the biblical age of approximately 6,000 years.

It is crucial to recognize that these calculations depend on assumptions about the past, such as starting conditions and constant rates of processes. While they cannot provide definitive proof of the age of something, they do demonstrate that even under evolutionists’ assumptions about the past, the Earth is much younger than typically claimed and does not contradict the Bible.

Biblical Perspective: A Young Earth

From a biblical perspective, there are additional factors that support a young age for the Earth and its oceans. First, it is reasonable to believe that God created the oceans with some saltiness to provide a suitable habitat for saltwater fish. During Noah's Flood, vast quantities of sodium would have been dissolved from land rocks and subsequently entered the oceans as floodwaters receded.

Moreover, recent discoveries related to SGWD suggest an even younger age for the ocean. The higher-than-expected contribution of SGWD reduces the maximum possible age of the ocean further. These findings align with a biblical understanding of Earth's history.

In conclusion, the salinity of the oceans provides strong evidence that they, along with the Earth itself, are far younger than the billions of years required for evolution. The calculated ages are consistent with the biblical timeframe of approximately 6,000 years. While these calculations rely on assumptions about the past, they demonstrate that even under evolutionists' own assumptions, the Earth's age does not contradict the Bible.

It is important to approach scientific discoveries with discernment and consider them through the lens of biblical truth. While scientific evidence can provide valuable insights, it is ultimately God's word that provides the ultimate authority on matters of creation and history. By trusting in His revelation, we can navigate the complexities of scientific theories and confidently embrace a biblical worldview.

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!" - Psalm 1:1

May we seek wisdom from God's Word and find delight in His truth as we explore the wonders of His creation.