Did the Sand in the Desert Come from the Worldwide Flood?

Leah M. (age 11) asked,

“Did the sand in the desert come from the worldwide flood?”

That’s a good question, Leah.

Most sand grains are a mixture of broken rocks (like granite and feldspar) and minerals (mostly quartzite). This is the typical “gold” or “tan” sand we see on most beaches or desert areas. White sand also contains large percentages of shells, bones, and corals. And black sand (like in Hawaii) is made up of crushed lava fragments. Sand is created as rocks and other materials are broken down by wind, rain, and other natural forces. This process is always happening, so new sand is always being formed.

Secular scientists believe that it must have taken millions of years for all the sand on earth to form. But powerful forces during the global flood could have created huge amounts of sand.

When the flood began, the fountains of the great deep burst forth (Genesis 7:11) and water covered the earth. The waters eroded (broke down) the land, leading to layers of sediments (sand and other small particles) of broken-up rocks, minerals, and materials like shells, bones, and corals.

When the floodwaters began to drain, they quickly eroded the new layers of sediments, creating sand. The flowing water carried the sand all over the world, dropping it to form beaches and deserts.

Did you know?

Scientists estimate that there are seven quintillion five hundred quadrillion grains of sand on earth. That is 75 followed by 17 zeroes!

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