Hollow Earth

*Includes pictures *Includes historical accounts of the theory *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading The world is filled with mysteries, and even in the modern age, much of the planet remains unexplored. The depths of the oceans and the intricate and extensive cave systems that honeycomb some parts of the Earth are still largely unknown. Thus, it should come as no surprise that when it comes to this terra incognita, people have projected all sorts of ideas. Tales of sunken cities or lost civilizations are just some of the fanciful theories, and those could even be considered tame in comparison to the idea that Earth is hollow and there's a whole other world, complete with alien beings, inside it. Despite this notion being rejected by the scientific community for at least 300 years, and despite the fact that geology, volcanology, oceanography, and physics have all proven that the planet does not have any substantial empty space inside of it, the idea of a hollow Earth continues to intrigue people and gain eager and sincere adherents. Why does this debunked notion seem to be gaining more followers? While most people accept that the Earth is an oblate spheroid and not flat, and that it is made up of rock and liquid magma and is not hollow, it's both interesting and of value to analyze radical ideas and examine how they endure and develop. Taken at face value, these ideas are patently ridiculous, but they provoke strong emotions in sincere people who have thought about their beliefs. These people feel they are privy to a hidden truth and that the rest of the world is wrong and ignorant. Of course, this feeling of mental superiority isn't the only appeal in clinging to radical notions. There is also the thrill of adventure-the feeling that one is part of a dangerous minority about to overthrow the dominant paradigm. It is far better, some would feel, to live in a world full of mystery and hope than in a decaying, "rational" world where everything can be explained but nothing solved. Hollow Earth: A History of Strange Tales, Bizarre Beliefs, and Conspiracy Theories about the Earth's Core offers a sampling of the many strange stories and theories regarding the planet's interior. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the theories like never before.