Mark I. Vuletic

Last updated 3 December 2008

Analysis

(i) The calculation that led to the prediction of a deep dust layer was based upon a speculative estimate of influx of meteoritic dust that has since been proven incorrect. The actual influx of dust is considerably smaller, and consistent with the standard scientific timescale of the age of the moon. (Ecker 1990:183).

(ii) To its credit, the young-earth creationist organization Answers in Genesis has completely disavowed the moon-dust argument. In an AiG article, creationists Snelling and Rush conclude:

Calculations show that the amount of meteoritic dust in the surface dust layer, and that which trace element analyses have shown to be in the regolith, is consistent with the current meteoritic dust influx rate operating over the evolutionists' timescale. While there are some unresolved problems with the evolutionists' case, the moon dust argument, using uniformitarian assumptions to argue against an old age for the moon and the solar system, should for the present not be used by creationists. (Snelling and Rush 1993)

References

Snelling AA and Rush DE. 1993. Moon dust and the age of the solar system. TJ 7(1):2-42.

Ecker R. 1990. Dictionary of Science and Creationism. Buffalo: Prometheus.