Science behind the parting of the Red Sea


 Multimedia Pub Web 25819 Web


When I was a youngster in parochial school, I loved looking into scientific explanations for the "miracles" of biblical stories. I remember reading about how a Tsunami could have "parted" the Red Sea. Now though, National Center for Atmospheric Research scientists suggest a new theory to explain the episode. They used archaeological records and satellite data as the basis for a computer simulation of a powerful overnight wind at the shallow spot where the crossing may have occurred. From The Telegraph:

 En  Static Neverbesilent.Org  Thumbnails Parting Red Sea   250X211

The scientists found that an east wind of 63 mph blowing for 12 hours would have driven the shallow waters back, both into the lake and the river channel.

For a period of four hours, this would have created a land bridge about two miles long and three miles wide.

The waters really would have been parted, with barriers of water raised on both sides of the newly exposed mud flats.

As soon as the winds dropped, the waters would have rushed back, much like a tidal bore.

"Biblical parting of the Red Sea 'could have happened'" (The Telegraph)

"Parting the waters: Computer modeling applies physics to Red Sea escape route" (NCAR)