Young Earth Creation Science Argument Index
G1261: The U-Th-Pb method, properly corrected for neutron capture gives recent dates
Edited by Greg Neyman
Argument:
Melvin Cook discovered that lead-208 was found in ores in which it could not have come from decay of thorium-232 and could not have been "primordial" or "common" lead that was present when the ore solidified. The lead-208, therefore, must have been formed from lead-207 by neutron capture (Cook 1966). When neutron capture reactions are taken into account, the calculated age of the ores changes from approximately 600 million years to recent.
Source: Slusher, H.
S. 1981. Critique of Radiometric Dating. Institute for Creation Research,
Technical Monograph 2 (2nd ed.), 46 pp. (1st ed. 1973.)
Morris, H. M. 1985. Scientific Creationism. Green Forest, AR: Master Books,
pp. 141-142.
Ham, K., Sarfati, J., Wieland, C. 2000. What about carbon dating? In: The
Revised and Expanded Answers Book, ed. Don Batten. Green Forest, AR: Master
Books. (1990), chap. 4. http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2002/carbon_dating.asp
Response:
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The claim that the dates change from 600 million years to "recent" is misleading. Cook's revised date is actually 70 million years. This is still much too old for the young earth theory of 6,000-10,000 years
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Cook's conclusions were based on a single source, and errors in assumptions have been identified. Therefore, even old earth geologists discredit his conclusions
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When recalculated to fix errors, the correct age is 644 million years, not "recent" as young earthers would have us believe
For more Reading:
Talk Origins source article Contains further responses to this argument
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Young Earth Creation Science Argument Index
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