[Theo]

It's kind of cool to take Genesis literally. Consider what the earth looked like according to Scripture....

There was a layer of water above the earth, just kind of floating up there. Apparently there wasn't any pollution in the atmosphere on which the water could condense and form rain (there's no mention of rain in Scripture prior to the flood)....

People lived hundreds of years during that time, typically 500, 600, 700 years. Then something from "the deeps" shot up (a volcano, maybe?) and then that layer of water collapsed onto the earth in a great "rain." Polution from the volcano reached the atmosphere, providing something on which the water up there might condense, and fall. Interesting.

Also interesting to note that people after the flood -- immediately after it -- lived a lot shorter, to maybe 120 or less years. Makes you wonder if that water layer protected people from bad sun rays?

In any case, there's a lot of fascinating scientific consistencies in that part of Scripture.

[SedVictaCatoni]

In any case, there's a lot of fascinating scientific consistencies in that part of Scripture.

Well, except for the gravity part, of course. And the question of where all the water went.

[backtobasics]

Not only did it begin to rain (which had not been seen before), but also the fountains of the great deep were "broken up". Water was coming down from above, and from beneath at the same time.

Later, "the fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained."

I wonder what percentage of dry land would be covered with water if both ice caps melted?

[Ichneumon]

It's kind of cool to take Genesis literally. Consider what the earth looked like according to Scripture.... There was a layer of water above the earth, just kind of floating up there. Apparently there wasn't any pollution in the atmosphere on which the water could condense and form rain [...] Polution from the volcano reached the atmosphere, providing something on which the water up there might condense, and fall.

"Pollution" (i.e. particulate matter) assists in the formation of rain, but it's in no way essential, and rain will still form and fall in a "pure" atmosphere of just gasses and water vapor. So that explanation is out.

Even rain actually did require nucleation sites to form, an Earth with a 100% pure gas/vapor atmosphere (and it wouldn't be -- dust storms, etc. would "dirty" it in a hurry), then there would still be the issue of the supersaturated atmosphere contacting the "dirty" surface of the Earth, at which point you'd get rapid condensation on surface objects (trees, grass, dirt, people, etc.) and if there had actually been enough water vapor in the atmosphere to flood the Earth, then the Earth would have quickly "dewed" itself into an underwater state like a dehumidifier coil in a sauna.

People lived hundreds of years during that time, typically 500, 600, 700 years. [...] Also interesting to note that people after the flood -- immediately after it -- lived a lot shorter, to maybe 120 or less years. Makes you wonder if that water layer protected people from bad sun rays?

If so then there should be a significant difference in the longevity of people who are housebound than those who spend a lot of time outdoors. There isn't. Nor do long-term prisoners live longer, nor lab animals that spend their entire lives indoors (even in deep basements).

In any case, there's a lot of fascinating scientific consistencies in that part of Scripture.

There may be, but I don't think this is it.

[Old Professer]

Spend a couple of hours on Google under Progeria and then rethink all you "know" about aging.

[steve-b]

Also interesting to note that people after the flood -- immediately after it -- lived a lot shorter, to maybe 120 or less years. Makes you wonder if that water layer protected people from bad sun rays?

If non-exposure to the sun does it, then computer geeks would live to be 500.