Every few years, some attention-seeking scientific researcher (usually a meteorologist, which is sort of like a scientist) attempts to sucker journalists and bloggers into writing about how their computer model explains how the parting of the Red Sea in the book of Exodus could really happen .
This year it’s Carl Drews, from the National Center for Atmospheric Research. To Mr. Drews I say . . . I fell for it again .
Analysis of archaeological records, satellite measurements and maps allowed the researchers to estimate the water flow and depth at the site 3,000 years ago.An ocean computer model was then used to simulate the impact of a strong overnight wind on the six-foot-deep waters.
The scientists found that an east wind of 63 mph blowing for 12 hours would have driven the shallow waters back, both into the lake and the river channel.
For a period of four hours, this would have created a land bridge about two miles long and three miles wide.
The waters really would have been parted, with barriers of water raised on both sides of the newly exposed mud flats.
As soon as the winds dropped, the waters would have rushed back, much like a tidal bore. Anyone stranded on the mud flats would have been at risk of drowning, said the scientists, whose findings are reported today in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE.
Okay scientists, this is it. Last time I write about this Red Sea parting stuff. There are plenty of other miracles in the Bible. Why not apply your computer models to those for a change? How about the one where Aaron throws down his staff and it turns into a snake that eats all the other staff/snakes of Pharaoh sorcerers? I love that one.
