Zeuzzz
Banned
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- Dec 26, 2007
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I was reading about my favorite crackpot theory the other day, Hollow Earth Theory, and stumbled upon the work of Jan Lamprecht. He is of the opinion that there are many separate possibilities and density profiles the Earth could have that would satisfy seismological data. He has come up with one of these that satisfies his beliefs about the interior of the Earth. Along with many other dubious geoligcal ideas that I'm sure people here could shoot down in a second if they can be bothered to read his website. You can see it here: http://www.hollowplanets.com/journal/Seismic01.asp
I would have dismissed it as someone talking about something he has no knowledge of, but I read a couple of reviews from scientists that made me think twice. Tom Van Flandern said “For merely showing us all that the inferred density profile of Earth's interior is not a unique solution of seismic data -- an important constraint for all theoreticians working in that area -- the book had already made itself worthwhile.” And also a review from Richard Baum (Director Mercury & Venus Sections, British Astronomical Association) said: “I must say you have stored your book with an enormous amount of information; much quite surprising, all stimulating. Essentially you are not only obliging us to take a fresh look at things but to observe from an unsuspected different position - the presumed impossible.”
For those unfamiliar with Hollow Earth theory discovery channel did a documentary about it years ago, a few minutes of it can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqpCcEYno9E The kind of theory thats fun to examine and checkout (like the equally silly, but somewhat less beliveable, flat earth theory), but its obviously all extremely unlikely.
So is his model a correct solution to seismological data? Are there any other ways to map out the internal density and structure of the Earth to independantly from the inferred seismological structure? (I have heard maybe HAARP technology using ELF/VLF Radio Waves could do this, but am not sure if this is public material, as I believe that at this point HAARP is a military based project)
Any seismologists on the forum that could take a good look at his solution? Quite a specialist subject, certainly above my head
Lesson #3: Is there any Hollow Earth seismic model which allows waves to go around the Earth? The obvious problem posed by the theory is that seismic waves actually reach right across to the other side of the Earth. Scientists are therefore quite confident that the P waves must have passed through the core of the Earth and this tells them that there cannot be a cavity.
When I did my feasibility study (which is what my book is), I looked at the problem from every conceivable angle to see if there was any Hollow Earth model which made seismic sense. I found only one - I repeat - only one, which has any merits. All other Hollow Earth seismic models are failures. Take a look at it below.
In the above model, I simply used the Earth's structure as scientists define it now. I replaced the Outer core with a cavity (I'll explain why later - because there is a sound reason for it). But the thing I changed was the structure of the Mantle. I wondered what would happen if density within a sphere did not increase uniformly as has been assumed. What if density actually DECREASES from a certain point onwards? You will notice all solid-earth seismology shows ray paths curving in a "U" back to the surface of the Earth. That is because density and pressure increases as you go deeper. But if, for some reason, density were to suddenly decrease, then the waves would curve in the opposite direction! I realised this, and you can see what then happens. In the middle of the Mantle, where density suddenly decreases, it causes seismic waves to travel around the cavity - right to the other side of the Earth!
You would be excused for believing that the waves might have passed through the core of the Earth when in fact nothing of the kind happened.
I would have dismissed it as someone talking about something he has no knowledge of, but I read a couple of reviews from scientists that made me think twice. Tom Van Flandern said “For merely showing us all that the inferred density profile of Earth's interior is not a unique solution of seismic data -- an important constraint for all theoreticians working in that area -- the book had already made itself worthwhile.” And also a review from Richard Baum (Director Mercury & Venus Sections, British Astronomical Association) said: “I must say you have stored your book with an enormous amount of information; much quite surprising, all stimulating. Essentially you are not only obliging us to take a fresh look at things but to observe from an unsuspected different position - the presumed impossible.”
For those unfamiliar with Hollow Earth theory discovery channel did a documentary about it years ago, a few minutes of it can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqpCcEYno9E The kind of theory thats fun to examine and checkout (like the equally silly, but somewhat less beliveable, flat earth theory), but its obviously all extremely unlikely.
So is his model a correct solution to seismological data? Are there any other ways to map out the internal density and structure of the Earth to independantly from the inferred seismological structure? (I have heard maybe HAARP technology using ELF/VLF Radio Waves could do this, but am not sure if this is public material, as I believe that at this point HAARP is a military based project)
Any seismologists on the forum that could take a good look at his solution? Quite a specialist subject, certainly above my head
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