Mysterious Fossil Discoveries in Iceland Support Creationist Perspective

Introduction

Recently, a fascinating discovery in Iceland has raised intriguing questions that challenge conventional scientific explanations. Fossils of various plant species, including lignite, have been found trapped between layers of lava on this remote island. The presence of these ancient plants has left scientists puzzled, as they appear to have arrived on Iceland from distant lands. In this blog, we will explore these unique findings from a creationist perspective, supported by credible research, to shed light on the mystery of how these plants ended up on Iceland’s shores.

The Puzzling Fossil Discoveries

Lignite layers containing leaf fossils, stems, and pollen have been uncovered in six different sedimentary units along Iceland’s coast, primarily on the northern and western flanks. These lignite beds have revealed approximately 40 species of flowering plants, seven conifers, and four ferns and fern allies. What makes this discovery particularly intriguing is that many of these same plant fossils can also be found in North America and Europe at the same geological level.

Conventional scientists propose that the plants comprising these lignite beds grew on Iceland and were later preserved by lava flows. However, a critical question arises: how did these plants reach this remote island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? While some species could theoretically have been dispersed to Iceland through natural means, others pose a challenge due to their limited potential for long-distance dispersal.

The Problem of Plant Migration

Several plant species identified in Iceland, such as beech and buckeye, have no plausible means of long-distance dispersal. Additionally, taxa like elm, ash, and basswood have severely restricted dispersal capabilities. The only possibilities for some of these plants to reach Iceland involve crossing extensive water masses. While wind, insects, and birds may account for the transportation of some species, it is difficult to explain the presence of others without invoking extraordinary explanations.

The Geological Origins of Iceland

Iceland’s geological history provides further complexity to this mystery. The island is thought to have formed from a massive outpouring of lava due to a mantle plume, which occurred during the late stages of the Flood, specifically during the deposition of Miocene (Upper Cenozoic) units. By this time, a considerable ocean had already separated Iceland from the neighboring continents of Europe and North America.

Some uniformitarian scientists suggest that a series of “stepping stone” islands could have provided a pathway for these plant species to reach Iceland. However, there is little evidence to support the existence of such closely spaced islands, and today, there are no submerged volcanoes between Europe and North America that could have served as stepping stones for these plants.

The Lack of Plant Growth Evidence

Another puzzling aspect of this discovery is the absence of evidence that the plants ever grew on Iceland itself. The sedimentary layers, as well as the lignite beds, reveal no signs of rooting or erosion between layers. Instead, what we observe are extensive, flat-lying lava layers stacked one upon the other, with no significant time gaps.

A Creationist Explanation

From a creationist perspective, the most plausible explanation for these mysterious plant fossils in Iceland is rooted in the global Flood. According to the Flood model proposed by the Institute for Creation Research (ICR), these plants may have been ripped off the pre-Flood continents as the floodwaters rose. Some of these plants, particularly flowering species living at higher elevations, were among the last to be inundated and were mixed with lower-elevation vegetation. This scenario can account for the diverse plant species found in the lignite beds of Iceland.

Additionally, catastrophic tsunami-like waves during the Flood’s recession could have carried some of this floating plant debris onto Iceland’s emerging shores.

Meanwhile, other waves could have transported plant debris far offshore, leading to the creation of coal and lignite. Subsequent volcanic eruptions would have buried and sealed the plant fossils within lignite beds between lava flows.

Conclusion

The discovery of ancient plant fossils in Iceland has presented a perplexing challenge to conventional scientific explanations. While some propose the existence of stepping stone islands, the lack of supporting evidence and the remote location of Iceland cast doubt on this idea. From a creationist perspective, a global Flood event offers a more coherent explanation for these enigmatic plant fossils. As we continue to explore Earth’s geological history, mysteries like this one remind us that the natural world still holds many secrets waiting to be uncovered.

References:

1. Grímsson, F., T. Denk, and L. A. Símonarson. (2007). “Middle Miocene floras of Iceland—the early colonization of an island?” Review of Paleobotany & Palynology, 144(3-4), 181-219.
2. Denk, T., F. Grímsson, and Z. Kvaček. (2005). “The Miocene floras of Iceland and their significance for late Cainozoic North Atlantic biogeography.” Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 149(4), 369-417.
3. Clarey, T. (2020). “Carved in Stone: Geological Evidence of the Worldwide Flood.” Dallas, TX: Institute for Creation Research.
4. Clarey, T. (2021). “Offshore Cenozoic Coal Confirms N-Q Flood Boundary.” Acts & Facts, 50(7), 7.