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As Marc points out there are numerous forms of both fossil preservation and geological features that can result in a column-like structure.  I have seen carboniferous tree trunks several meters tall sitting in a wall of a coal mine.  The surrounding layers were a mix of sand, mud and shale stones. There are more than enough geological oddities to feed their fire. Somewhere I saw a picture of a hammer that appears to be inbedded in matrix. Rock can form at all sorts of speeds from slow deposition on the ocean floor to something that happens within hours during an ashfall or other volcanic event.

My greatest concern with all this is that it spreads doubt and that when it does attempt to insert itself into our schools and other public institutions, even if it ultimately fails, wastes precious time.  Here in Texas something along these lines went on for weeks when the state school board had much bigger issues that truly needed addressing.

--
Erich Rose
Exhibit, Environmental and Industrial Design
807 The Living End
Austin, TX 78746
512-626-9930; [log in to unmask]

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