The "geologic column" illustrated in textbooks shows the supposed progression of animals from "simpler" forms in the oldest ages to increasingly more advanced forms in later ages, and is used to "prove" that evolution has actually taken place. One gets the impression that a core sample from any land surface on earth will contain the illustrated progression of fossils. However, such is not the case. "Only 15-20% of the earth's land surface has even three (of the ten) geologic periods appearing in ‘correct' consecutive order" (Woodmorappe).

The column is seen to be a self-fulfilling reality based on circular reasoning, once it is realized that the definitive way in which rocks are dated is by the "index" fossils they contain. Yet the dating of the fossils is based on their presumed "stage of evolution" as determined by the age in which they are found. Fossils date rocks, rocks date fossils!

Creationists believe the column, to the degree it superficially illustrates a general tendency, is the result of the global flood. It represents a rapid, not "millions of years", deposition of all the plant and animal material existing on the earth at that time. Hydrodynamic sorting action, the tendency for destruction of similar habitats to occur in the same order around the world (near the ocean habitats overcome before inland habitats), and animal mobility considerations are sufficient to produce the general tendencies seen in the column. The recent volcanic explosion at Mt. St. Helens produced similar stratigraphic features to those found at "grand canyon" (but on a smaller scale) in a matter of only days and hours!