An illustration based on new research shows how wind could have moved and split waters from two ancient basins.
The parting of the waters described in the book of Exodus that enabled Moses and the Israelites to escape the pharaoh's army is possible, computer simulations run by researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the University of Colorado at Boulder show.
To test the theory that the biblical account may have depicted actual events, the researchers studied maps of the region, archaeological records and satellite measurements to find a topographical feature where such an event might have been possible. They settled on an area south of the Mediterranean Sea where some oceanographers say a branch of the Nile River drained into what was called the Lake of Tanis, a coastal lagoon 3,000 years ago.
The computer model shows a 63 mph east wind blowing across the area and its 6-feet-deep waters for 12 hours. In the scenario, the wind pushed back the waters into both the lake and the channel of the river, exposing a mud flat 2 to 2.5 miles long and 3 miles wide for four hours. As the winds died down, the waters quickly flowed back in and in theory would have drowned anyone on the mud flat.
“The simulations match fairly closely with the account in Exodus,” said Carl Drews of NCAR, the lead author of the study published in the online journal PLoS ONE. (Read the full study)
“The parting of the waters can be understood through fluid dynamics. The wind moves the water in a way that’s in accordance with physical laws, creating a safe passage with water on two sides and then abruptly allowing the water to rush back in.”
YouTube: Parting the waters, Part 1: The physics of a land bridge
Parting the waters, Part 2: Carl Drews on wind setdown research
The biblical account of Exodus has Moses and his followers trapped by the pharaoh forces against a body of water, which has been translated to both the Red Sea and the Sea of Reeds. In the account, a strong wind comes up after night falls and parts the waters behind the Israelites. Moses leads them into the breach but when the pharaoh army pursues them at daybreak, the gap disappears and the army is lost.
Previous research has focused on areas of the Red Sea near the modern-day Suez Canal where the biblical miracle may have been possible. The NCAR/CU team said their research shows those scenarios unlikely. They ran a series of 14 computer simulations to pinpoint the area where the parting of the waters was most likely.
“People have always been fascinated by this Exodus story, wondering if it comes from historical facts,” Drews says. “What this study shows is that the description of the waters parting indeed has a basis in physical laws."
Drews conducted the Exodus research as part of a larger project on how winds can affect water depths.
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ok, now that we solved this.... how does this change my life ?? now we need to concentrate on how to turn a loaf of bread into enough to feed the hunger !!! call me when that happens.....
The point of the study is that the mythology contained in old writings may have some basis in fact, even if embellished, which most of these tales probably are. The simulations use good models of physical behaviors and show that it could be possible that a channel was opened enough to pass through. Where the simulation parts from the real world, is that it is unlikely thatthe number of Hebrews escaping from Egypt, including various herds of animals and slower moving families, could have effectively crossed in a single night.
Current day modeling and simulation can be quite accurate, providing some basis for the generation of myths from exaggerated reality.
Can't believe these so called scientists wasting their time trying to figure out that "there was a possibility it happened". There is a possibility that I went around the world in a supersonic jet, but guess what... I didn't!!
People stop believing in mythology, doesn't matter how comforting it is and start believing in reality!!
Thanks, mom.
Help me Jesus! Help me Jewish God! Help me Allah! AAAAAHHH! Help me Tom Cruise! Tom Cruise, use your witchcraft on me to get the fire off me!
Thanks for a good laugh. That had to be one of the funniest scenes from Talladega Nights. What about,"Help me Oprah Winfrey"?
A couple years back there was another experiment that showed how seismic activity would easily cause the event. And there was some rather extreme seismic activity in the region during that era. But I really must wonder what difference does it make? God led the people out of Egypt. How it was done is entirely irrelevant.
You are all forgetting something. In the Bible, Moses parts the Red Sea, not the Nile River. Whoops, sorry scientists, you've really wasted your time on that one. BTW, I was never brought up to believe the Bible was G-d's truth, but as an orgins story, mixing a grain of truth with legend.
The children of Israel walked through on DRY land. This article does nothing to "explain" that by science. Science is amazing, and forces me to stand in awe and love of the God who created it.
Well, sounds like a miracle to me still.... the entire Egyptian army drowned in 6 feet of water!
even if it was the nile that was parted God is still Maraculous becase they said the nile was only 2 or3 feet of water so that means God drowned the whole army in 2 ft of water praise the lord he is good jesus will return and we all will see and all you atheist will fall on your faces
northern indianas belivev in "stories of their own told over and over though story tellers who can say for sure about any of it, bible is written by man some stories we can use because they are learning stories and some are tall tales we won't knoe till we die. but if the bible helps people though faith good for them
Every eye shall see and everytongue confess............
Um, exactly how would a bunch of people be able to cross a two mile long mud flat with 63 mph winds blowing in their face in only 4 hours? This also assumes it's a dry, clean wind and not blowing rain or sand at them.
So let me get this straight, a sustained wind of 63 mph lasted just long enough for Moses' group to cross and then the 63 mph sustained wind abated and drowned the Egyptians? This is called creating a "scientific" model to fit a story, eg, pseudoscience. Come on guys! The Red Sea did not part; the story is a metaphor. Geez.
Sounds like pseudo science with an attempt not to prove that it might have happened, but rather to try to prove that it could have happened but that God had nothing to do with it.
This theory misses the point where Moses's people stepped on to DRY land after the sea parted. This story cleary states a mud flat was left. Scientists 0 God still wins.
Exactly. And all of Israel being able to cross in such a short time period would also be difficult. Not to mention it wasn't like they knew of this phenomenon and when it would occur. Definitely God involvement in this one, even if science can prove it possible for the waters to part.
I am a Christian and I hope that all of you who have not come to know Jesus Christ in your heart find Him.
Keep hoping.
Hello TONI: I will look for him in my heart. Please do me the courtesy of trying to gain knowledge and reason while I am on my search. I will not give you as random and intuitive directions as you have provided. In the interest of time, I will attempt to be more direct. You can find all about reason and knowledge by using the latest in wireless technology. These wireless devices are maintained in a great collection that is available and waiting for your review! All for free!! The devices are called science books, and you can find them at the public library.
aadrifter will keep hoping when s/he is in hell they will be calling jesus name hopin for a way out but wont get it
Mary, Mary, Mary... It's one thing to believe in god, which is silly enough. It's another thing to believe in the ludicrous concept of hell. You have a brain, start thinking.
@Mary: Thank you for so vividly demonstrating one of my least favorite things about believers. When they cannot form a reasonable argument, they resort to threats. They will start with threats of hell. Eventually, many resort to threats of personal violence. Reminds me of children who found their fathers gun.