Responses to "It is Truth"

Chapter 12

Mountains


Today, now introduce a unique scholar. He differs from other scholars but at the same time, he is a representative of a group of scholars. His name is Professor Siaveda, one of the best known marine geologists from Japan. He is also one of the most famous scientists in the world.

Honestly, I have never heard of him. I will take the author's word that Professor Siaveda exists, however, I have not been able to locate any books or papers written by him, which is rather odd considering the claim made on this site that he is "one of the most famous scientists in the world". I also find it odd that this site, which holds him in such high esteem, has two variant spellings of his name: Siaveda and Sieveda.

He replied and said: The fundamental difference between continental mountains and the oceanic mountains lies in its material. Continental mountains are made essentially by sediments, whereas the oceanic mountains are made of volcanic rocks. Continental mountains were formed by compressional forces, whereas the oceanic mountains were formed by extensional forces.

Wrong. There are many volcanic mountains that are on land, both extrusive and intrusive.

But the common denominator on both mountains are that they have roots to support the mountains. In the case of continental mountains, light-low density material from the mountain is extended down into the earth as a root.

What is your definition of "light-low density material"? If the mountain and its "root" are composed of the same type of rock, the compressional forces would make the "root" rock denser than the rock at the top of the mountain. Think about it for a moment! In the case of mountains which are formed by block faults, as well as cinder cone volcanos, there is little , or no, portion of the mountain that extends deep below the surface of the earth.

In the case of oceanic mountains, there is also light material supporting the mountain as a root, but in the case of oceanic mountain this material is not light because the composition is light, but it is hot, therefore expanded somewhat. But from the viewpoint of densities, they are doing the same job of supporting the mountains. Therefore, the function of the roots are to support the mountains according to the law of Archimedes.

Once again, this is not correct because compressional forces would make the "root" rock denser than the rock at the top of the mountain. In any event, is this what the Qur'an tells us?

Professor Siaveda described the shape of all mountains whether they are on land or in the sea as being in the shape of a wedge. Could anyone during the time of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) have known of the shape of these mountains?

That would be a logical deduction, however, where did Muhammad describe this? Is this in the Qur'an or the Hadith? In any case, the shape of a mountain is something that can be observed.

Could anyone imagine that the solid massive mountain that he sees before him actually extends deep into the earth and has a root as scientists assure.

The depends on you definition of a mountain's "root". In the case of some igneous (volcanic) mountains, molten rock "intrudes" into the "throat" of a volcano's opening and cools, forming a relatively dense intrusion which extends below the surface of the earth. The material surrounding this intrusion is then eroded away leaving a volcanic "spine" or "neck". Ship Rock, in New Mexico, is an example. These features can have the appearance of "pegs" and, perhaps, the portion below the surface could be called a "root" - although the Qur'an does not say this! The term "root" is not in any of the passages in this section.

Incidentally, not all mountains have these "roots". For example, block faulted mountains and cinder cone volcanos have very different geological and geomorphological characteristics than the aforementioned intrusions.

A large number of geography books when discussing mountains, only describe that part which is on the surface of the earth. This is because they are not written by specialists in geology, but modern science informs us about it and Allah says in the Qur'an: And the mountains as pegs. (Qur'an 78:7).

Are you saying the Geography and Geology textbooks ARE NOT written by geologists and geographers? Who writes these texts, Economists?

We asked Professor Sievada whether the mountains have a function in establishing the crust of the earth. He said that this has not yet been discovered and established by scientists.

Wow, that statement speaks volumes! Are you attempting to establish a statement as fact without any evidence? That is not the methodology of science.

Now we get to the "science" of the Qur'an:

Allah said: And the mountains Has He firmly fixed. (Qur'an 79:32).

Really? Why are earthquakes so very common in mountainous areas? Some Muslims say that this passage tells us that mountains do not change from day-to-day. Mountains are not exactly the same from day-to-day, even though we perceive them as static. Erosion, as well as mass wasting, glaciation, and vulcanism are processes which occur frequently, often on a daily basis, but we cannot perceive many of these changes without monitoring instruments. In this case, this ayah seems to be a mere human observation - that mountains are static.

And He said: And the mountains as pegs. (Qur'an 78:7).

"Pegs" for what? Also, Pickthall translates this term as "bulwarks" while Shakir translates it as "projections". In any case, what scientific fact can be derived from this passage?

And He also said: And he has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you. (Qur'an 16:15).

This is the most incorrect and absurd statement in this chapter! If you do not believe me (I am a geologist), please check the University of Edinburgh's Global Earthquake Map. Notice that nearly ALL of the recent seismic activity is in mountainous areas. If the mountains are are "firmly fixed" and are supposed to prevent the earth from shaking, then I suggest that they are doing a very poor job!

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