ABSTRACTS
On Stellar Structure and Stellar Evolution
Bruce Briegleb, M.S.
Current stellar astronomy maintains-a close relationship between the observed structure of stars and their supposed evolutionary history. An attempt is made to distinguish between stellar structure observations and theoretical stellar evolution. The physical laws believed to govern the macroscopic structure of nondegenerate stars are reviewed. From these laws, scaling relationships between several properties are derived. These scaling relationships hold independent of the source of stellar power, allowing for both gravitational contraction and thermonuclear fusion sources. With additional observational information and physical approximation, a synthetic Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram is presented. The synthetic H-R diagram bears some similarity to observed H-R diagrams.
An Evaluation of the John Woodmorappe Flood Geology Model -- Part I
A. W. Mehlert, Dip.Theol.
In a 1983 issue of the Quarterly, a creationist geologist published a carefully prepared and well-researched treatise on the stratigraphic separation of fossils (Woodmorappe. 1983, pp. 133-185). In marked contrast to many previous Flood models which proposed mechanisms and processes that were rather simplistic and largely not compatible with the actual layout of the rocks and the fossils they contain, John Woodmorappe's concept appears to overcome most of these incompatibilities. It has been both surprising and disappointing that this model has been almost completely ignored by creation scientists and others, possibly because of its grand scope and consequent complexity. This paper evaluates, simplifies to a limited degree, and elaborates on Woodmorappe's Flood concept and thereby hopes to encourage more debate and interest in the field of diluviology and geology, for unless creationists can suggest a reasonable and consistent explanation for the earth's rock systems and the undeniable separation of fossils, the evolutionary uniformitarian approach to geology will continue unchallenged in its domination of earth sciences. This paper (Part I) will discuss the precision of the geologic column. A later paper (Part II) will evaluate the Woodmorappe Flood model.
The problem of Extinction and Natural Selection
Jerry Bergman, Ph.D.
The problem of animal extinction was reviewed, finding that the literature shows that little evidence exists to conclude that extinction occurs because of Darwinian evolution, i.e., the least fit are more apt to become extinct than the better fit. Researchers have been able to find few consistent differences in biological fitness of animals which become extinct and those that have not. Today, a clear tendency exists for the so-called higher organisms to become extinct, as shown by an evaluation of endangered species lists and a study of animals which have become extinct in recent history. Most types of animals that have become extinct in the past are generally not less fit than surviving types, are very similar to many extant types, and any differences are often irrelevant to survival. The reasons for extinction are either chance or unknown, not a pruning of the inferior species as biological evolution predicts.
Fossil Wood from Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, Texas:
PART II -MECHANISM OF SILICIFICATION OF WOOD AND OTHER PERTINENT FACTORS
Emmett L. Williams, Ph.D.
A theoretical mechanism for the silicification of wood is presented. Possible rapid burial and silicification are discussed within the framework of a young earth model. Laboratory means to implant silica in wood are reviewed. Autochthonous and allochthonous deposition of woody material in various locations is explored.