Polonium halos

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Polonium halos are supposed evidence discovered by young Earth creationist Robert V. Gentry and published in his book Creation's Tiny Mystery. Further research has been conducted by quack scientists at the Institute of Creation Research.

Radiohalos are a phenomenon that begins in cooling molten rock which exhibits crystal growth that can naturally increase the local concentration of radioactive materials. After the rock as fully cooled, these radioactive crystals continue to emit radiation over time that changes the surrounding minerals; this is particularly noticeable in the mica family. The radiation damage to the surrounding minerals continues to damage of the host mineral over time.

Gentry claims to have gathered primordial rocks that contain halos. He claims to be able to distinguish ones that were caused exclusively by decay of Polonium, which has a short half life. If the surrounding rock was molten, the halo would not be able to form before the radioactivity level drops to a negligible level. For the surrounding minerals to contain the halo, they must have cooled on a short time scale - Gentry suggests minutes. This implies an almost instantaneous creation of the Earth, which is consistent with the creation account in Genesis.

Counter arguments[edit]

  • Gentry cannot show that the rock samples used are primordial.[1]
  • He is unable to show that polonium exclusively accounts for the subset of halos under discussion.[1]
  • There are many other lines of evidence that show the Earth is ancient.[1]
  • A rapidly cooling Earth does not prove any particular God or theology. [2]

References[edit]

External links[edit]