Fossils sorted hydrologically (Talk.Origins)

Claim CH561.2:


 * The order of fossils deposited by Noah's Flood, especially those of marine organisms, can be explained by hydrologic sorting. Fossils of the same size will be sorted together. Heavier and more streamlined forms will be found at lower levels.

Source: Whitcomb, John C. Jr. and Henry M. Morris, 1961. The Genesis Flood. Philadelphia, PA: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., pp. 273-274

CreationWiki response:

First of all it needs to be noted that this is an old source and much research has been done in the area of hydrologic sorting in moving water though stratification experiments. Furthermore, hydrologic sorting produces a statistical trend, not an absolute one. Using it in isolation turns it into a Straw Man.

Based on stratification experiments hydrologic sorting in moving water would produce similar patterns particularly when other factors are considered. Besides hydrologic sorting would only produce a statistical trend, not an absolute one.

Actually this is exactly what is indicated in moving water by recent stratification experiments.

It needs to be remembered that there are other factors that affect the fossil location; hydrologic sorting is just one of several factors that determine where a fossil would end up.

This statement is made without any support for the claim. As is typical of evolutionists, Talk.Origins is ignoring the effects of moving water. While there would be plenty of mixing up of both fossils and sediment there would still be factors that would tend to push towards certain statistical trends.