Should evolution be taught in schools?

[Cirdan]

LE, carbon dating is not used much in geology. It is mostly a tool for archeology. Radiometric dating is used to confirm the ages of formations, but the age of rock formations is determined by the relative stratigraphy. Without going into a long dissertation it basically means the order and rate at which formations can occur based on rock type and superposition (which can first and why). For the earth to be much younger some parameter would have to defy physics to excced rates of formation, deformation, and weathering. An example would be sedimentary rocks. If the time were speeded up in the deformantion process they rocks would melt and become igneous, crystalline rock.

As to mass extinctions, the is a great deal of evidence of these. The dinosaurs are the most well known example. The three major ages of the earth in terms of geology (Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic) are defined with mass extinctions as the starting points for each. A mass extinction you can see is the one being caused be humans. Many species has disappeared since human became such good hunters.

You can claim deus ex machina but you cannot claim a young earth without defying all reason. The same holds true for the great flood story. If you are interested in learning about geology there is an author named John McPhee who does a reader-friendly synopsys of US geology. If you are near some mountainous or rocky areas I would reccomend a field trip after visiting a local office of the USGS for info on local geology.