><< The carbonate filling the snails is not a powder, and even the
>pictures Petersen shows demonstrate that simple fact. See plate 40 (p.
>162)where the snail shell is broken but the carbonate, internal mold of
>the snail still supports itself against gravity. Powder can't do that.
>Indeed plates 35-40 all show the same phenomenon, a hardened material
>inside the shells. I mentioned to you the other day that water carrying dissolved carbonate can enter the shells and then when the water evaporates, it leaves behind carbonate. You have yet to do anything except ignore this point. I would also note that we have observed loess formation today and if Petersen had done his research he would have known this. "Drapes of Holocene loess up to 5 m thick are known and loess continues to be deposited from the air at rates of several mm/yr." Edward Derbyshire,"Origin and characteristics of Some Chinese Loess at Two Locations in China," in M. E. Brookfield and T. S. Ahlbrandt, Eolian Sediments and Processes, New York: Elsevier, 1983, p. 71 So, since we are observing loess formation today, without all this 4th dimensional mumbo-jumbo, how can you say that the older loess is due to 4th dimensional intrusion?>>
I wrote:
>>Remarkable. Truly remarkable. The loess nodules the size of a sweet
>potato with the snails and embedded mud were deposited and are being
>deposited at the rate of several mm/yr by the wind. Truly remarkable.
>I would like to observe. Let us both go and if we observe what is in
>plates 35-40 while it is happening, I'll pay your expenses and if not
>you pay for mine. Deal?>>
Glenn Morton wrote:
<<Great. I know Mandarin and would love to go back to China and get
some more practice. When do you want to go to China? I will buy you a
meal of one of their delicacies, either dog or scorpion (no kidding!)>>
The bargain is sealed. The protocol is as follows:(1) The loess nodules
the size of a sweet potato with the snails and embedded mud, as
illustrated in Petersen's plates 35-40, will be observed as they are
being deposited at the rate of several mm/yr by the wind in China.(2)
The expense money, $10,000 from Joseph Mastropaolo and $10,000 from
Glenn Morton, will be deposited in escrow by 1 October 1998 with
instructions stating that if (1) is observed Morton collects the $20,000
and if (1) is not observed then Mastropaolo collects the $20,000.
I look forward to meeting you, traveling with you to China and
observing. Let us leave on or about 8 October 1998.
Joseph Mastropaolo