Many skeptics have laughed at the idea of the amount of water required for the Noahic Flood. Where did it come from? Where did it go? And Christians have just had to say, we don’t understand, the details but we believe that God is omnipotent, so if he said that he did something, we believe that he did do it. But recent scientific findings have demonstrated where the water might have come from and where it might have gone. So now skeptics will have to answer why they don’t believe God.
Biblical Account of the Noahic Flood
Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came on the earth. Noah went into the ship with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, because of the floodwaters. Clean animals, unclean animals, birds, and everything that creeps on the ground went by pairs to Noah into the ship, male and female, as God commanded Noah. After the seven days, the floodwaters came on the earth. In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the sky’s windows opened. It rained on the earth forty days and forty nights. (Genesis 7:6-12 WEB)
The phrases “all the fountains of the great deep broken up” and “the windows of heaven were opened” found in Genesis 7:11 are understood as descriptions of the catastrophic events that initiated the global flood during Noah’s time.
“All the Fountains of the Great Deep Broken Up”
This phrase suggests a massive, worldwide release of subterranean waters. It implies that the earth’s crust was ruptured, causing water from beneath the earth to surge to the surface. This event could be seen as God using the natural resources of the earth to initiate the flood. The “fountains of the great deep” represent the vast reservoirs of water stored within the earth. This breaking up of the fountains would have caused immense flooding from below, contributing significantly to the inundation of the earth.
Recent scientific findings have revealed the existence of vast amounts of water stored deep beneath the Earth’s surface in a mineral called ringwoodite. This discovery suggests that there is a massive reservoir of water within Earth’s mantle, potentially holding more water than all the surface oceans combined.
Ringwoodite is found in the transition zone of the mantle, about 410 to 660 kilometers below the Earth’s surface. This mineral can store water within its crystal structure, indicating that the mantle is much wetter than previously thought. Researchers studying diamonds from volcanic eruptions, which contain ringwoodite inclusions, have found that these diamonds have water trapped within them, further supporting the presence of significant amounts of water deep underground (New Scientist) (Smithsonian Magazine) (Earth.com).
This deep reservoir of water plays a crucial role in geological processes, such as the formation of magma and the dynamics of tectonic plates. Understanding this hidden water source helps scientists gain insights into the Earth’s water cycle and its geological history (Nature) (ScienceDaily)
“The Windows of Heaven were Opened”
This phrase indicates a torrential downpour from above. In Biblical language, the “windows of heaven” often refer to the skies or firmament. The opening of these windows would mean that rain fell in an unprecedented volume and intensity. This is understood as God opening the heavens to pour out rain continuously for forty days and nights, further adding to the deluge initiated by the breaking up of the fountains of the great deep.
The Oort Cloud is believed to host trillions of comet-like objects, which are remnants from the early solar system. These objects consist mostly of water ice, along with other frozen compounds like methane and ammonia. This icy composition is thought to contribute to the long-period comets that occasionally enter the inner solar system, providing a glimpse into the conditions of the early solar system (Space.com) (Living Cosmos).
While direct observation of the Oort Cloud is not currently possible, the study of long-period comets and advancements in computer simulations have allowed scientists to infer its characteristics and composition. The presence of such a massive amount of water ice in the Oort Cloud highlights its significance in understanding the solar system’s formation and evolution (Nature).
Estimates suggest that the total mass of the Oort Cloud is about five Earth masses, translating to approximately 3 × 10²⁵ kg. If we assume that a significant portion of this mass is water ice, it implies that there is an enormous reservoir of water far beyond the orbit of Neptune (Wikipedia) (Astronomy Trek).
Calculated Result of the Noahic Flood
Together, these phrases describe a divine and catastrophic intervention where both terrestrial and celestial sources of water were unleashed to fulfill God’s judgment upon a wicked world, resulting in the global Noahic flood that covered the earth. This event is seen not only as a historical occurrence but also as a demonstration of God’s power and sovereignty over creation.
- The current volume of the oceans is 1.332×109 km3
- The volume added to the oceans is 7.992×109 km3
- The surface area of the Earth is 5.101×1014 m2
- The rise in sea level would be 13056 meters (or 42834 feet)
This is much higher than Mount Everest, which is the highest mountain on Earth, at 8849 meters (or 29032 feet).
Digging Deeper
- 7 things that changed the world forever – The world around us is vastly different than it was thousands of years ago. Much has changed. And it’s going to change a lot more soon
- Unrepentant sin requires righteous judgment – God is a righteous God who demands righteous justice. He cannot tolerate unrepentant sin. Someday he will return in vengeance to execute judgment.
- 101 broken people that God used anyway – Throughout the Bible, God demonstrates His love and grace by using broken and flawed people to accomplish His purposes.