Creation Science Book Review
Frozen In Time
Chapter 6: The Multiplications of Ice Age Theories
Review by Greg Neyman
© Old Earth Ministries
First Published 7 September 2005
Oard explains that there are two basic sets of theories concerning what
causes an ice age. One is extraterrestrial, the other terrestrial.
Extraterrestrial Theories (Page 61)
Theories of this sort hinge on a decrease in the amount
of solar heat upon the earth. True, we do not have much information on the
history of the solar energy being felt on earth. The solar constant, which
Oard says is assumed to be reliable, does vary. For instance, average global
temperature in recent recorded history shows an increase of almost 0.7 of a
degree from 1861 to 1991.1 If this warming trend has occurred since the end
of the last ice age, 11,000 years ago, then at this rate, we are 59 degrees
warmer than we were 11,000 years ago. This possibility lends much credence
to this theory…the only thing we are missing is observational evidence for
temperatures of the last 11,000 years, which is next to impossible to come
by. Studies of tree rings are the best method we have now, and they show a
0.2% to 0.6% variance in the sun over many centuries. 2 Oard says that
changes in the solar constant have been minimal (referring to changes due to
sunspot activity). Over time, however, it may well be a different story.
Terrestrial Theories (Page 62)
The first theory mentioned here is a decrease in carbon
dioxide. While it may have a role to play in the overall causes of an ice
age, it is probably not the main catalyst, as Mr. Oard points out.
Another idea is that higher altitudes mean colder
temperatures. He throws this out without references, and I’ve seen no claims
that the land was higher, and caused the colder temperatures of the ice
ages.
The next theory mentioned is that the Arctic melted,
providing the moisture for increased snowfall over Canada and Eurasia. I
agree with Oard on this one.
Next, volcanoes are mentioned, as the ash would block
the sunshine. This is shot down because of the duration of the ice ages,
some of which last 100,000 years. You would need a very long period of
volcanic eruptions to account for this. Again I agree with Oard.
The West Antarctic theory is also flawed, as Oard
points out. Next, he mentions that simple climatic fluctuations are thought
to possibly cause the ice ages. He says the plausibility of this option is
open to serious questions…and then he fails to list any challenges to this
theory! How can a reader decide without the information? However, you must
understand the nature of the young earth reader. In their sub-culture, they
will accept as truth anything from an authority figure, such as a pastor,
young earth creation science expert, author, etc. There is no need to
examine the information further, if Mr. Oard says it, then its true.
Summary (Page 64)
The lack of a universally agreed upon theory for the
cause of the Ice Age does not mean that all the theories are wrong. Sure,
they have flaws (which Oard calls “fatal”…but are they?). In the next
chapter, Oard starts to explain his own theory. The lack of a universally
accepted theory provides no proof of his theory…if there were 60 theories,
there are now 61…since his cannot be proven also (but it has even more fatal
flaws than the other 60 theories).
In the end, he picks out one of the most popular
theories and attacks it (Page 65-68). One prominent claim is that a desired
date is determined, and then the data is tweaked to match that desired date
(just like young earth creationism!). I don’t know if this is true in this
case. Young earth creationists have had a bad habit of claiming that
scientists tweak the data, but most of these claims have turned out to be
false.
I suspect that no one theory has the answers, but a
combination of factors probably contributes to causing an ice age.
1 agu.org/history/sv/temperature/index.shtml (Link dead)
2 science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/17jan_solcon.htm (Link dead)
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