Science Tries to explain everything

Wind could have parted Red Sea for Moses

Scientists say they have used computer simulations to show how the parting of the Red Sea could have been caused by strong winds.

The Bibles describes how the waters of the sea parted, allowing Moses and the Israelites to flee their Egyptian pursuers.

US scientists say their simulations show how the movement of wind could have opened up a land bridge at one location.

The researchers say a strong east wind, blowing overnight, could have pushed water back at a bend where an ancient river is believed to have merged with a coastal lagoon.

With the water pushed back into both waterways, a land bridge would have opened at the bend, enabling people to walk across exposed mud flats to safety.

As soon as the wind died down, the waters would have rushed back in.

"The simulations match fairly closely with the account in Exodus," said the study's lead author Carl Drews, from the US National Center for Atmospheric Research.

"The parting of the waters can be understood through fluid dynamics. The wind moves the water in a way that's in accordance with physical laws, creating a safe passage with water on two sides and then abruptly allowing the water to rush back in."

In the Book of Exodus, a mighty east wind blew all night, splitting the waters, after Moses and the fleeing Israelites became trapped between the Pharaoh's advancing chariots and the Red Sea.

The Israelites were able to flee to the other shore. But when the Egyptian Pharaoh's army attempted to pursue them in the morning, the waters rushed back and drowned the soldiers.