Hi, it's interesting to see that many popular creationist authors enjoy using uniformitarianism when it suits them as well. For instance, I currently have a copy of "Creation-Evolution Controversy" by Randy Wysong (Inquiry Press, East Lansing Michigan, 1976). He asserts the following to prove a young Earth:
1. The subsurface pressure at a given point in the Earth is everywhere constant- thus oil fields should not exist.
2. The decay rate of the Earth's magnetic field is constant- thus the magnetic field would be too strong beyong 6000 years.
3. Helium accumulation rate is constant- thus the small quantity of He in the current atmosphere indicates a young Earth.
4. The flow rate of the Mississippi river is constant- thus the small volume of sediment in the delta indicates a young Earth.
5. The accumulation of U, Na, Ni, Mg, Si, K, Cu, Au, Ag, Hg, Pb, Sn, Al, and a few others in salt water is a constant rate process- thus the accumulation of these elements suggests a young Earth.
6. Cliff erosion is constant- why are there still cliffs if the Earth is old?
7. Sea ooze accumulation rates are constant- the total volume of Sea Ooze is too low for an Old Earth.
8. The slowing of the Earth's spin is constant- thus the Earth would be spinning too fast if the Earth is old.
9. Continent erosion is constant, thus continents should have all eroded away.
10. The rate of water exhalation from volcanoes is constant- thus all water came from volcanoes 6000 years ago through the present.
11. The cosmic dust influx is constant (dust delivery to the moon)- thus the astronauts should have sunk into a huge layer of dust if the Moon is old.
12. The cometary flux is constant (thus all comets should be gone).
13. Interplanetary dust removal is constant (thus there shouldn't be meteors).
14. Lunar inert gas accumulation rate is constant- thus we should see a lot of He in lunar soil.
15. Topsoil formation rate is constant- thus the topsoil today has formed in less than 6000 years.
16. Niagara falls erosion rate is constant- thus to move from the ocean to just north of Buffalo would only take 6000 years.
17. Atmospheric oxygen accumulation from plants is constant- thus all plants have been making the oxygen in the past 6000 years.
There are many others stated in his book (a total of 44), but they're mostly just variations on a theme. Wysong references a huge amount of creationist literature (he's very current on his creationist literature through 1976), and even some secular literature (up to date to about 1957), and many of his arguments can still be found today from experts like Kent Hovind and Answers in Genesis. Basically, Wysong's argument is that Uniformitarianism as geologists use it (uniform radioactive decay, generalized statements about the lithification times for sediments, etc.) is invalid, however, uniformitarianism is completely valid when applied to specific cases that would support a young Earth. Also, Young-Earth-only Uniformitarianism is also allowed to omit sinks of material when necessary.
Geologic and especially geomorphic processes are not constant, and definitely can't be used to date something, especially when one forgets to include half of the equation. For instance, Wysong's arguments 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, and 17 all exclude the removal of something by a natural process.
3- Helium is removed through atmospheric escape
7- Sea Ooze is easily removed through water action and subduction
9- Continental uplift is measure and counteracts erosion (which had an abnormally high erosion rate, anyway)
10- Water is removed through reaction with minerals
14- Helium is easily lost from soil through minor movement
15- Topsoil is easily removed by water
17- Animals breathe oxygen
Many of his other arguments start with faulty initial rates (6, 8, 11, 12, 13,- use wrong initial rates) or causes (2- the Earth's magnetic field actually flips, which is observed in the rock record), or assumptions (1- the pressure is not uniform, 4- the Mississippi delta has moved with time, 5- many elements give ages much older than the Earth, and are also removed by other processes). Some come to faulty conclusions (16- The age of Niagara falls is not the age of the Earth). Uniformitarianism in science should definitely be questioned, but should especially be questioned when used by young Earth creationists.
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