A recent discover may shed new light on a portion of the Biblical text some have always doubted. The story of Noah's flood is recorded in the book of Genesis and tells how the entire surface of the earth was covered with water. Critics have always been eager to point out there is not enough water on the planet to cover all the land surfaces of Earth. Therefore the Bible is in error and the story of Noah's flood nothing more than a myth. If recent scientific discoveries prove true, this argument no longer holds water.
In the past scientist have discovered subterranean water reserves. In 2007 a vast underground ocean was discovered under China. It is believed this ocean holds approximately the same amount of water as does the Arctic Ocean. This is a significant amount of water, but even if it were all somehow released to the surface it would not be enough to cover all landmasses. Now scientist have made a new discovery which literally dwarfs the subterranean water below Asia. The new reserve is said to be at a depth of 400 miles and is a massive ocean of water contained within highly pressurized rock. This rock, located near the earth's mantle, is called ringwoodite and the amount of water it is said to contain is almost unbelievable.
Scientist currently estimate this newly discovered subterranean ocean may hold three times more water than do all the surface oceans of the Earth. That is a staggering number. Three times more water than is on the surface is located in this deep reserve. This brought a question to mind. If this water from the deep areas of the Earth could somehow be released to the surface would it be enough water to cover all land masses? The answer is yes, it would easily cover the entire earth with water.
The next question is this. How did Moses, writing almost four thousand years ago, know about these subterranean water reserves when modern scientist are just now discovering them? In Genesis it clearly tells us that along with the 40 days and 40 nights of rain, the flood waters came from the springs of the great deep.
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. 12 And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.Genesis 7:11-12
This discovery clearly shows there is ample water on or in the earth to completely submerge all land to a considerable depth. This is contrary to the statements of critics but it does not answer all the questions associated with the water supply. Two important questions remain. If this hidden subterranean ocean did make up part of Noah's flood, just how was it released to the surface? Secondly, and just as important, how did the water return to its hiding place nearly 400 miles below the surface? These are certain to be key points to critics opposition to the story of a world-wide flood now that they can no longer claim an insufficient water supply. While questions and mysteries remain it is important to realize this. One more major obstacle to fully believing the Biblical narrative has been removed. Critics will remain, but for the believer this new discovery is one more reason to have confidence in the Bible and the Source of its information. Information which eluded modern science until now, but was known to and recorded by people nearly 4,000 years ago.
