Epigraph

Do they not then look at the camel, how it is created?

And at the heaven, how it is raised high?

And at the mountains, how they are anchored?

And at the earth, how it is spread out? (Al Quran 88:17-20)

Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, the Chief Editor of the Muslim Times

The Holy Quran is not a book of science, as it has not directly revealed scientific knowledge; instead, it is a book of scientific clues, some of which early Muslim scientists identified and made discoveries during the Golden Age of Islam. Some clues were missed or were intended for a later age and were later materialized by Western scientists, independent of the Quranic input.

A few days ago, I wrote an article, The Glorious Quran: Mountains as Earth’s Natural Shock Absorbers. Today, we want to examine the verse from Surah Al-Ghashiyah that gave us a different scientific hint or clue about anchoring the mountains: “And (look) at the mountains and how they are anchored?” (88:19)

There are at least three additional scientific clues in Surah Al-Ghashiyah, as noted in the epigraph of this article, and they will be the subject of separate articles.

Mountains possess deep subsurface extensions known as “roots,” which provide the necessary buoyancy and stability to support their immense mass. This concept is explained by the principle of isostasy, analogous to how icebergs float with a portion submerged beneath the water’s surface. The depth of these roots varies among mountain ranges, influenced by factors such as the range’s height, density, and the geological processes involved in its formation.​

The roots or anchors of the mountains were discovered in the twentieth century, the Muslims failed to capture the clue in the Glorious Quran and develop the relevant sciences.

Himalayas

The Himalayas, home to some of the world’s tallest peaks, exhibit exceptionally deep roots. Studies suggest that the Indian tectonic plate has subducted beneath the Asian plate to depths of approximately 155 miles (250 kilometers). This significant subduction supports the towering elevations observed in the region. ​

Other Mountain Ranges

While the Himalayas represent an extreme case, other mountain ranges also possess substantial roots. For instance, the Andes and the Rockies have roots that extend deep into the Earth’s crust, though specific measurements vary based on local geological conditions. Generally, for every kilometer of elevation above sea level, there may be several kilometers of root extending downward. This ratio ensures the necessary isostatic balance to support the mountains’ elevations.​

Isostasy and Root Formation

The formation of mountain roots is governed by isostasy, where the Earth’s crust floats atop the more fluid mantle beneath. When a mountain range forms, the crust thickens and extends downward to compensate for the added mass, creating a root. Over time, these roots can become so dense that portions may detach and sink into the mantle, a process known as lithospheric delamination. ​

Understanding the depth and structure of mountain roots is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of Earth’s crust and the geological processes that shape our planet’s topography.​

Conclusion

The scientific clues of the Quran are not exhausted. It is merely that we are not paying attention in the same way that the Muslims in the medieval era ignored many over the centuries, and non-Muslim scientists made the discoveries and got the credit.

A few clues are very apparent, and I would like to mention at least two of them. The Quran contains various expressions of the cosmological argument. Still, atheists wish to deny the Creator of our universe, and I have written dozens of articles on this theme. These you can find on the Homepage or the header menus of our blog: TheQuran.love. The other apparent area is that of free will and accountability. The Quran emphatically affirms it, and many atheist philosophers and scientists want to deny it: Atheist Philosophers and Scientists Possessed by Laplace’s Demon.

The two clues that have not been accepted in the popular imagination yet, but I am fairly convinced of these are in the domain of extra dimensions and extraterrestrial life:

Arguing for Extra Dimensions in Physics from God’s Omniscience

The Quranic Paradise and the Extra Dimensions of Our Universe

Videos: Would Extra Dimensions, Some Day Explain the Mystery of Consciousness?

Where are they, all those Aliens? The Quran Did Prophesize them

The Quran Speaks of Innumerable Earths Along With Innumerable Stars and Extraterrestrial Life

If There Are Intelligent Aliens: Does Jesus Have to Die for Them for Their Salvation?