Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (P.E.E.R.) recently sent out a press release claiming the park service refuses to let employees give out an official geologic age for the Grand Canyon because of pressure from the Bush administration. Except if you go read their press release, everything except the lede has nothing to do with stating a geologic age. All it has to do with is the fact that a creationist book is being sold in a Park Service store despite P.E.E.R.'s objections.
So can the National Park Service (N.P.S.) release an official geologic age? Read carefully before you pass that little nugget on. A quick look at the N.P.S. Grand Canyon N.P. web site has the following paragraph (emphasis added):
The Grand Canyon is considered one of the natural wonders of the world largely because of its natural features. The exposed geologic strata - layer upon layer from the basement Vishnu schist to the capping Kaibab limestone - rise over a mile above the river, representing one of the most complete records of geological history that can be seen anywhere in the world. Geologic formations such as gneiss and schist found at the bottom of the Canyon date back 1,800 million years. This geologic incline creates a diversity of biotic communities, and five of the seven life zones are present in the park.
Doesn't sound to me like the Park Service is saying it's 6,000 years old.
Though, credit to P.E.E.R. for generating publicity for their position. They hit a good P.R. double with this one.
