Andrew Snelling
Dr. Andrew A. Snelling is a creation scientist specializing in geology and one of the leading researchers in flood geology. He currently serves as Director of Research for Answers in Genesis (AiG), where he oversees scientific studies supporting the young-earth model and biblical Flood narrative.
Snelling has previously worked with Australia's Creation Science Foundation, the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) in California, and was a founding member of the RATE group (Radioisotopes and the Age of the Earth). His primary areas of research include radioisotope dating methods, the formation of sedimentary and metamorphic rock, and the geological processes related to rapid deposition during the Genesis Flood.
He holds a B.Sc. with first class honours in Applied Geology from the University of New South Wales and a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Sydney. Before joining creation science organizations, he worked in the mining industry across Australia and served as a geological consultant for nuclear research initiatives. His academic and fieldwork background spans uranium ore deposit studies and analogues to nuclear waste containment sites.
Technical papers by Dr. Snelling have twice received the "Technical Excellence Award" at the International Conference on Creationism (ICC) in 1994 and 1998.
Grand Canyon Research
Dr. Snelling is one of a limited number of geologists permitted to collect rock samples from the Grand Canyon. His work there has played a significant role in the advancement of Flood geology, particularly regarding the rapid deposition of geologic strata and the folding of sedimentary rock layers while still soft.
In 2017, Snelling became the subject of national attention when he filed a lawsuit against the U.S. National Park Service after his rock sampling permit was initially denied. Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, the lawsuit argued religious discrimination based on his biblical worldview. The case concluded successfully when the Park Service reversed its decision and granted the permit.[1]
Snelling has conducted extensive Grand Canyon fieldwork in collaboration with Dr. John Whitmore and Dr. Steve Austin, contributing to a growing body of research that challenges conventional long-age interpretations of canyon formation. One of his most prominent projects involved the detailed study of folded rock layers—particularly the Tapeats Sandstone and Muav Limestone—within the canyon. The research demonstrated evidence of large-scale plastic deformation without fracturing, supporting the hypothesis that these formations were bent while still soft and unconsolidated, consistent with rapid deposition during a global flood.
This work was prominently featured in the sequel to the documentary Is Genesis History? titled Mountains After the Flood, where Snelling and Whitmore presented field observations and interpretations aligned with the Genesis Flood narrative.
Snelling also participated in research initiatives organized by Canyon Ministries, where he served as a river guide and educator on numerous Colorado River expeditions. He played a pivotal role in the Canyon Ministries Christian Leaders Grand Canyon trip program, which brought pastors, theologians, and seminary professors into the canyon for immersive education in biblical geology for more than a decade.
His published papers on the subject include detailed petrographic and geochemical analyses that support flood-based interpretations of the Grand Canyon’s stratigraphy. He also contributed to research into soft-sediment deformation, cross-bedding, and trace fossils in the Supai Group and Coconino Sandstone.
Publications
- Andesite Flows at Mt. Ngauruhoe, New Zealand, and the Implications for Potassium Argon "Dating" by Andrew A. Snelling Ph.D. Presented at the Fourth International Conference on Creationism. 1998.
- The Earth's magnetic field and the age of the Earth by Andrew A. Snelling. Creation 13(4):44–48 September 1991
- Excess Argon: The Archilles Heel of Potassium-Argon and Argon-Argon Dating of Volcanic Rocks by Andrew A. Snelling. ICR Impact No. 307
- Galaxy-quasar ‘connection’ defies explanation by Andrew Snelling. Creation Ex Nihilo Technical Journal 11(3):254–255, 1997
- Helium diffusion rates support accelerated nuclear decay by D. Russell Humphreys, Steven A. Austin, John R. Baumgardner, and Andrew A. Snelling. Fifth International Conference on Creationism. 2003.
- Moon Dust and the Age of the Solar System by Andrew A. Snelling and David E. Rush. Journal of Creation 7(1):2-42. 1993
- Moon dust and the age of the solar system by Andrew A. Snelling and David E. Rush. TJ 7(1):2–42. April 1993
- Polonium Radiohalos: Still "A Very Tiny Mystery" by Andrew A. Snelling. ICR Impact #471.
- Potassium-Argon and Argon-Argon Dating of Crystal Rocks and the Problem of Excess Argon by Andrew A. Snelling. ICR Impact #438
- The ‘principle of least astonishment’! by Andrew Snelling. TJ 9(2):138–139. August 1995
- Radioisotopes and the Age of the Earth by Larry Vardiman, Andrew Snelling, and Eugene Chaffin. Institute for Creation Research / Creation Research Society. ISBN: 0-932766-19-6
- Radioisotope Dating of Grand Canyon Rocks: Another Devastating Failure for Long-Age Geology by Andrew A. Snelling. ICR Impact 376. 2004
- Saturn's rings short-lived and young by Andrew Snelling. TJ 11(1):1. April 1997
- Solar neutrinos—the critical shortfall still elusive by Andrew Snelling. TJ 11(3):253–254. December 1997
- Special report: Amazing ‘Ark’ exposé by Andrew Snelling. Creation Ex Nihilo 14(4):26–38
- Startling evidence for Noah’s Flood: Footprints and sand ‘dunes’ in a Grand Canyon sandstone! by Andrew A. Snelling and Steven A. Austin. Creation 15(1):46–50. December 1992
Professional Data
Education
- B.Sc. in Applied Geology, The University of New South Wales, Australia
- Ph.D. in Geology, University of Sydney, Australia
References
- ↑ Grand Canyon Scientist/Creationist Receives Permits. Answers in Genesis. June 28, 2017.
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