[Buck W.]

It’s common sense. Surtsey is an island off the coast of Iceland formed by volcanic activity. Does the origin of every corner of every landmass on earth fit that description? No! We have long term erosion and sedimentation, for example. Therefore, credible scientists cannot extrapolate Surtsey’s genesis to that of the entire earth.

[tongass kid]

Please cite your reference. The scientific evidence presented by Surtsey is undisputed in the scientific community. Your statement of “common sense” trumping scientific data is not proven or sensible. You may chose the facts or your own beliefs. When ones beliefs are inconsistent with hard data (facts) then your position becomes one of faith and not science.

[metmom]

It’s common sense. Surtsey is an island off the coast of Iceland formed by volcanic activity. Does the origin of every corner of every landmass on earth fit that description? No! We have long term erosion and sedimentation, for example. Therefore, credible scientists cannot extrapolate Surtsey’s genesis to that of the entire earth.

But *credible* scientists routinely extrapolate variation within species to long term macroevolution all the time.

So why is it a strategy that's valid in one branch of science and not another?