A scientist from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) by the name of Carl Drews is using computer simulations to recreate the occurrence of parting of the Red Sea.

This study is part of a larger project on how wind affects water depths, including how Pacific Ocean typhoons can drive storm surges. This research can be beneficial to experts in wanting to know if an event like the one in the bible could ever have taken place. A good example of this is how several archeologists have not found any evidence in proving many of the events in the book of Exodus.  Looking back in weather records, there was an event in 1882 which has some similarity.  A British army general reported an east wind pushing water away on the west side of the Suez Canal called Lake Menzaleh.

If you read the biblical Old Testament book of Exodus it says, “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD swept the sea with an east wind throughout the night and so it turned it into dry land.” (Exodus Chapter 14)  Once parted, Moses led the Israelites away from the Egyptians.  As the wind died down the water came back to its original formation. If you want to read the whole chapter it can be found here.

Drews said, “People have always been fascinated by this story, wondering if it comes from historical facts.” He also says, “What this study shows is that the description of the waters parting indeed has a basis in physical laws.” The simulations of the model matched in what happened in Exodus 3000 years ago.

Simulations concluded that a strong east wind of 63 mph for 12 hours could have pushed back the water, creating a walkway.  Water flanking on both sides much like the bible says.  Drews used a 63 mph wind because it’s a speed that people could still possibly walk in. His team at UCAR modeled different landscapes to recreate this event. If you want to see his modeled simulation it can be found here.

The original article can be found here.