Are Long Ages Essential in Mineral Exploration?

Some people insist that the geologic column and belief in "deep time" are essential for people in geology-related fields to do real science work. I reckon this to be a uniformitarian version of the evolution mantra, "Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution". Not hardly. Neither assumption is true.

Yes, geologists use the geologic column, with its inaccurate assumptions of long ages, as a means of classification and reference. If they used the Great Flood of Genesis as a reference point, they would be more accurate in their work.

One of the most basic techniques is to observe the rocks in the field and plot the different kinds of rocks on a map. This would be the easiest, cheapest and most fundamental method of geological exploration. We also use magnetic methods, either on the ground or airborne. Other methods include aerial photography, seismic exploration, drill cores, gravity anomalies, and electrical methods. Plus we sample rocks from the surface and from drill cores to analyse their mineral content for resource potential. As you can see, all these techniques depend on making observations and measurements in the present and none of them gives any direct measurement of millions of years.

Read the rest of Tas Walker explanation in "Is the geologic column with its millions of years essential for mineral exploration?"