Precambrian Fossils

Precambrian fossils

https://earthathome.org/hoe/sw/fossils-cp/

These boundaries are typically defined by significant changes in the fossil record, rock types, or chemical signatures in the rocks. The extinction events associated with many of these boundaries are subjects of ongoing research, with proposed causes including asteroid impacts, massive volcanic eruptions, climate changes, and combinations of these factors. The "Big Five" mass extinctions (End-Ordovician, Late Devonian, End-Permian, End-Triassic, and End-Cretaceous) represent the most severe and well-studied of these events, each resulting in the loss of a significant percentage of Earth's species at the time.


Major Proterozoic and Paleozoic stratigraphic units of the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau. Modified from a diagram by Wade Greenberg-Brand originally published in The Teacher-Friendly Guide to the Earth Science of the Southwestern US. Link

The Grand Canyon provides a remarkable cross-section of sedimentary rock layers, which align perfectly with the idea of rapid, catastrophic deposition during a global flood.

Precambrian (Vishnu Schist and Zoroaster Granite)

At the base, we have the Precambrian rocks, including the Vishnu Schist and Zoroaster Granite. These are the foundational rocks, often referred to as basement rocks, which were likely formed during the initial creation week as described in Genesis.

Cambrian to Permian Layers

The layers above the Precambrian provide a stunning record:

Tapeats Sandstone, Bright Angel Shale, and Mauv Limestone (Cambrian): These layers represent the initial stages of the floodwaters rising, bringing sediments from different parts of the earth and rapidly depositing them.
Temple Butte Limestone (Devonian): As the floodwaters continued to rise, more marine sediments were deposited. The presence of marine fossils within these layers supports the notion that these sediments were laid down by ocean waters covering the continents.
Redwall Limestone (Mississippian): This thick limestone layer, filled with marine fossils, is indicative of a massive, rapid deposition of limey sediments by the floodwaters.
Supai Group (Pennsylvanian): The mixed sediments within the Supai Group suggest varying energy levels and changing conditions during the flood, with periods of quieter waters followed by more turbulent conditions.
Hermit Shale, Coconino Sandstone, Toroweap Formation, and Kaibab Formation (Permian):  These upper layers were deposited towards the end of the flood as waters began to recede. The Coconino Sandstone, for example, contains large-scale cross-bedding that indicates rapid water movement and deposition.

The significant erosion surface known as the Great Unconformity, seen between the Tonto Group and the Grand Canyon Supergroup, is a testament to the massive geological upheaval and erosion that occurred during the early stages of the flood. This unconformity represents a period of intense erosion, likely caused by the powerful, rushing floodwaters. The overall rapid sedimentation and the presence of folded rock layers without significant fracturing suggest that these sediments were still soft and pliable when they were folded. This is consistent with a rapid, catastrophic deposition during the flood, followed by quick burial and lithification. The geological features of the Grand Canyon, as depicted in this image, provide compelling evidence for the occurrence of a global flood. The rapid deposition of these extensive sedimentary layers, the presence of marine fossils at various levels, and the significant erosional unconformities all point to a single, catastrophic event that reshaped the earth’s surface. This interpretation aligns with the biblical account of a worldwide deluge, which rapidly buried and preserved these sediments, forming the stunning layers we see today in the Grand Canyon.