Scientists have established beyond any doubt that at some point in Earth’s history, atmospheric oxygen levels averaged between 30% and 35%—significantly higher than today’s 21%. This startling fact is supported by evidence such as air bubbles trapped in fossilized amber, which reliably preserve snapshots of ancient atmospheres. Additionally, the existence of giant prehistoric life forms, such as dragonflies with wingspans of over two feet and massive dinosaurs, points to an environment rich in oxygen and atmospheric pressure that supported such extraordinary growth. Yet, despite the scientific certainty of these oxygen levels, the prevailing question remains unanswered: what conditions could have sustained such an atmosphere?
Modern scientific models struggle to provide a cohesive explanation. The Earth’s current atmospheric and ecological systems cannot produce or sustain oxygen levels this high without introducing catastrophic instability, such as rampant wildfires or atmospheric collapse. This leaves us with an intriguing question: why do scientists largely dismiss the pre-flood model described in the Genesis account, the only historical, archaeological, and written framework that could plausibly explain these conditions?
The Challenge of Higher Oxygen Levels
For oxygen levels to reach and stabilize at 30–35%, several critical conditions must align:
1. Abundant Vegetation: Oxygen production depends on photosynthesis, which converts carbon dioxide and sunlight into oxygen. A world capable of supporting such high oxygen levels would require dense, widespread vegetation far beyond what exists today.
2. Stable Atmospheric Pressure: Higher oxygen levels would need to coexist with increased atmospheric pressure to prevent rapid oxidation events, such as uncontrollable fires, that would deplete the oxygen.
3. Reduced UV Radiation: High oxygen levels must be protected from UV-induced breakdown (photodissociation). A canopy-like system shielding the atmosphere would be necessary to preserve oxygen.
4. Minimal Geological Disruption: Volcanic eruptions, tectonic activity, and other oxygen-consuming processes would need to be minimal to sustain such an atmosphere.
These conditions, while not observed in the modern world, align remarkably well with descriptions of the pre-flood Earth as outlined in Genesis.
The Pre-Flood Model: A Plausible Explanation
The Genesis account describes a unique pre-flood environment characterized by stability, abundance, and harmony. This ancient world offers a compelling framework for the conditions necessary to sustain elevated oxygen levels:
1. The Water Vapor Canopy:
• Genesis 1:6-7 mentions the separation of waters, creating a “firmament” or canopy above the Earth. This canopy, if composed of water vapor or ice, would have:
• Increased atmospheric pressure, creating a hyperbaric effect similar to modern hyperbaric chambers.
• Trapped and redistributed heat globally, leading to a uniform, tropical climate.
• Shielded the Earth from harmful UV radiation, preserving oxygen and supporting lush vegetation.
2. Lush, Global Vegetation:
• Genesis 2:6 describes a mist rising from the Earth to water the ground, eliminating the need for rain and supporting a stable, humid environment. This system would have allowed for dense, oxygen-producing vegetation covering the planet.
3. Absence of Wind and Storms:
• The pre-flood world appears to lack the dynamic weather systems we know today. Without winds to spread fires or storms to disrupt ecosystems, vegetation could grow undisturbed, maximizing oxygen production.
4. No Geological Catastrophes:
• The pre-flood Earth, as described, was geologically stable, with no mention of volcanic eruptions or tectonic shifts. This stability would prevent oxygen depletion and maintain atmospheric equilibrium.
5. Enhanced Longevity and Gigantism:
• Higher oxygen levels and atmospheric pressure would not only support larger life forms but also promote health and longevity, as suggested by the extreme ages of pre-flood humans recorded in Genesis.
Why Is the Pre-Flood Model Dismissed?
Despite its alignment with scientific evidence, the pre-flood model is often dismissed by the scientific community. Several factors contribute to this rejection:
1. Philosophical Bias:
• Many scientists operate within a naturalistic framework, rejecting explanations that invoke historical or theological records. The Genesis account is often dismissed outright, not on the basis of evidence, but due to its association with religion.
2. Uniformitarian Assumptions:
• Modern science frequently assumes that geological and atmospheric processes observed today have always operated in the same way. The pre-flood model challenges this assumption by proposing a radically different atmospheric and ecological system.
3. Lack of Modern Analogues:
• The conditions described in Genesis have no modern equivalent, making them difficult to test or model within contemporary scientific paradigms.
4. Fragmentation of Evidence:
• Fossil evidence, amber findings, and the existence of megafauna are often studied in isolation, preventing a cohesive narrative from emerging. The pre-flood model offers a unifying explanation, but it requires cross-disciplinary consideration.
Conclusion: Reconsidering the Pre-Flood World
The scientific fact of ancient oxygen levels reaching 30–35% demands an explanation. Current naturalistic models fail to account for the combination of conditions necessary to sustain such an atmosphere. The Genesis pre-flood account, while often dismissed, provides a coherent framework that aligns with known scientific evidence:
• A stable, lush, oxygen-rich environment.
• Protective atmospheric conditions that preserved oxygen and prevented atmospheric instability.
• A harmonious biosphere capable of supporting megafauna and human longevity.
By ignoring this model, the scientific community overlooks a plausible explanation for one of Earth’s greatest atmospheric mysteries. It is time to reconsider the pre-flood world—not as a relic of myth, but as a valid scientific hypothesis worthy of exploration. Only through open-minded inquiry can we bridge the gap between scientific evidence and historical understanding, shedding light on the true nature of Earth’s ancient past.
Personally, it is very shocking to me that the scientific world is 100% dismissive of biblical text. Especially on this subject coming from a scientific fact that they have discovered: The 30 to 35% oxygen levels. Knowing there is a detailed account of an environment that would support those oxygen levels in more layers of complex detail that would rival any scientific research on any subject. Uniformitarianism (the scientific driving force that says all things have been the same throughout the existence of the planet) is the driving force of evolution. I’m not sure how one handles holding evidence in their hands that prove their. Wrong and sticking with it anyway? Sounds very religious to me!
Michael Lilborn Williams
The Gospel Revolution
gospelrevolution.com