The Myth of the Hollow Earth: Some Myths Never Die

Yes, we see it every day; some myths never die.

A gargoyle.

People need to believe in something. We need fairies, unicorns, angels, demons, mermaids, dragons, goddesses, winged horses, gargoyles, etc.

The same thing happens in science: no matter the advances in astronomy people keep searching and reading their daily horoscope. If this makes them self-assured and happy, its OK. Why destroy their illusions? Maybe myths are an inherent need deep within us.

However, the myth of the hollow Earth is another type of myth, because it is a showdown, a confrontation between physics and traditional beliefs. But physics, or geography, or geology do not work this way. Solid hypotheses and experimentation to confirm the experiments are needed.


There are many variations of the hollow Earth idea:

Some people still think that the Earth is hollow.

• The Edmund Halley's idea that the Earth's inside is made up of concentric hollow spheres and four poles. For Halley, the spheres' diameters are in proportion to some planet orbits.
• The Cleves Symmes's idea that the Earth is made up of concentric—not as Halley postulated-- but with a strong will to go himself into the Earth's core.
• The Cyrus Reed Teed's concept that the Universe was inside the Earth's crust cradled 'in the hands of God."
• The William Reed dream-concept that the Earth's interior is warm and with volcanoes as in the outside.

But believe it or not, some of those ideas still survive. Some people are making plans to travel to the North Pole to take a look at the entrance to the interior of the Earth.

See the complete article and more in: What do you know about the hollow Earth and the hollow Moon?