The Jan. 2 story citing structures within the Navajo Sandstone in Utah as evidence of a great flood was quite interesting, but the scientific interpretations presented are highly suspect.

As one with a Ph.D. in earth science, I want your readers to be aware that the formation has been extensively researched and is well recognized in the geologic literature as resulting largely from wind-blown sand deposits, essentially ancient sand dunes.

Herald readers would have been better served if the reporter had consulted a recognized earth science expert (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has several) who could explain the overwhelming evidence that the sandstone is in fact approximately 200 million years old, and the internal structures are not the result of catastrophic floods.

The photography mentioned in the article is indeed spectacular and worthy of reporting, but the story as written would be more appropriate for the Saturday religion page than reported as scientific theory.

Steve McDuffie, Richland