Buzz
Throughout history, we've encountered a variety of strange theories about the Earth. However, few have persisted as much as the notion that the Earth is hollow. In addition to this, there is speculation that this inner space could be home to civilizations of people and creatures.
It’s easy to imagine the existence of a hidden utopia within our planet, a refuge for those seeking a more enlightened existence. Yet, the current body of scientific knowledge contradicts the concept of a hollow Earth.
Nevertheless, it remains a captivating thought to dream about a world inside our world, even if we acknowledge that some aspects of the hollow Earth theory are far beyond our understanding.
10. Holes at the Poles
In 1906, William Reed released his book The Phantom of the Poles. In this work, Reed provided what he believed was compelling evidence supporting the idea that the Earth is hollow.
In an interview with a newspaper, Mr. Reed stated that the hollow Earth theory was the “most logical explanation for the flattening of the Earth at the polar regions.” He theorized that a vast hole extended all the way through the poles. Reed went on to describe how, “Sunlight passing through the hole . . . emerging amidst the icebergs and snow, lights them up like gems of living crystal.”
Mr. Reed’s book has since become a well-known work among those who advocate for the possibility of a hollow Earth.
9. Icebergs From Within the Earth
One of the more outlandish ideas proposed by those who believe in the hollow Earth theory is that icebergs originate from within the Earth itself. While it may sound difficult to believe, author William Reed argued that this theory actually made perfect sense.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, he explained, “Icebergs are formed inside the Earth and sail out from the polar holes, passing around the edge and eventually emerging into the ocean.”
By this point, modern satellites should have captured such an extraordinary phenomenon, unless some grand scientific and governmental conspiracy has hidden the existence of another Earth within our own.
8. Cellular Cosmogony
By 1908, a new hollow Earth theory began making headlines across the globe. Dr. Cyrus R. Teed proposed that scientists had misled us. Contrary to popular belief, we do not live on the exterior of the planet. Instead, the Earth resembles a giant cell, and we are living inside of it. In this model, the entire universe exists within this inner world, and there is nothing outside of our planetary cell.
At the center of this cellular Earth, the Sun is located about 6,400 kilometers (4,000 mi) from us. Three atmospheric layers encircle the Sun, including one made of hydrogen, which prevents us from seeing the Sun directly. What we observe is merely the concentration of the Sun's energy, located about 1,400 kilometers (900 mi) from our position.
7. The Center Is Inhabited
The notion of a hollow Earth was being debated long before the 20th century. An article from 1884 revealed that Americus Symmes was giving a lecture on his father’s hollow Earth theory.
His father, John Cleves Symmes Jr., had published a pamphlet in the early 1800s outlining what life might be like inside the Earth. Although John passed away in 1829, Americus continued to advocate for this alternative theory.
During his lecture, Americus mentioned the names of three men who allegedly ventured inside the Earth, met its inhabitants, and discussed their language and agriculture of the inner world.
6. Because Globes Are Hollow
While many of the more elitist scientists were dismissing hollow Earth theories in the press, some religious individuals were embracing the possibility. In an article from 1893, a writer argued that God does nothing in vain, and it would seem illogical for the deity to create the Earth as a solid sphere.
To strengthen his argument, the writer posed the question, “Would not the animals on Earth be more solid at their center than at their outer edges, instead of being heavily ribbed near the surface, so as to withstand the greatest pressure, leaving a hollow space in the center capable of active function?”
While the commentator presented an interesting religious theory, he undermined his point when he remarked: “Do not globe makers understand that a hollow globe is better than a solid one? If not, why do they make them hollow?”
5. A Solid Earth Is Too Heavy For Orbit
Many proponents of the hollow Earth theory argued that it was the only logical scientific explanation for how Earth could maintain its orbit around the Sun.
For instance, in 1905, George Ipson delivered a lecture presenting his alternative views on the Earth's structure. He claimed that if the Earth were solid, it would not be able to “maintain its position in ethereal space.”
Ipson also proposed that there were enormous openings at the poles, through which sunlight would enter and illuminate the inner world. He suggested that accessing this hidden space was simple: one would simply need to “descend in the air carriage under the easy control of the operator and [then] one is in the desired place.”
4. Now The Aurora Borealis Makes Sense
The early 1900s introduced a number of scientific theories that could easily leave anyone confused. A prime example of this was the explanation surrounding the origin of the aurora borealis.
Hollow Earth theorists of the time argued that the aurora borealis was simply the result of “fires reflected from inside the Earth.” Since the inner Earth is believed to be filled with crystals that reflect sunlight into the hollow regions, it seemed logical that the fires from the inhabitants within would be reflected outward and into the sky.
3. Blame It On Halley
The hollow Earth theory can be traced back to Edmond Halley, the astronomer famous for discovering Halley’s Comet. In 1672, Halley proposed a theory that the Earth was made up of multiple concentric shells. According to his theory, we reside on the outer shell, with a hollow space beneath the crust, followed by another shell, another air space, another shell, more air, and finally the core of the Earth.
Halley suggested that the three air spaces within the Earth were suitable for supporting life and that they were perpetually illuminated by “luminous air.” He also proposed that these inner Earth realms were populated by both humans and animals.
2. Still Sought After
The belief in the hollow Earth theory persists to this day. In 2002, a guest on Coast to Coast AM with Art Bell, Dallas Thompson, shared his near-death experience, during which he received profound insights about the hollow Earth.
Thompson shared that he had plans to launch an expedition to the polar hole in 2003. However, after releasing his book Cosmic Manuscript, which detailed his spiritual journey, Thompson mysteriously vanished.
Some other hollow Earth enthusiasts have even relocated to Alaska, drawn by its proximity to the North Pole, in hopes of discovering the gateway to the inner Earth.
1. Germany Believed
It is no surprise that Adolf Hitler, along with many other Germans after World War II, is said to have subscribed to the Hohlweltehre, or “hollow Earth theory.” Numerous bizarre rumors circulating online suggest that Hitler escaped to a hollow Earth, spending his final days in tranquility. However, the reality might simply be that Hitler did not rule out the possibility of an inner Earth.
A 1954 article in a Sydney newspaper claimed that “Hitler adopted it, along with fortune-telling, astrology, and locating enemy ships by pendulum swing over a map.” By associating the hollow Earth theory with fortune-telling and astrology, the theory was swiftly dismissed as unscientific.
