INTRODUCTION/MAIN Introduction/Main BACKGROUND Seafarer's Challenge Why This Interest Continental Drift Oppositions to Drift Craftsman's Approach EMPIRICAL MODEL The Empirical Model Expansion Basics Model Construction Expansion Basics Model Construction Model Demonstration Riverbed Formation Video Demonstration CONCLUSIONS Conclusions Summary of Evidence The Mid-Oceans Crests Making Mountains & The Pacific Ocean Moon Expulsion Earthquakes An Impact Vision EXPANSION CARTOGRAPHY Expansion Cartography The Big Picture Waterworld Inland Evidence EXPAND HOW? Expand How? Owen's Plasma Core Continental Shelves EPILOGUE Epilogue BOOK INFO Book Info / Feedback

MODEL CONSTRUCTION To guard the integrity of the model, the following is a step by step explanation of its construction. The first quest was to find a balloon which could weather repeated inflation and deflation without becoming distorted. Eventually, it was found that two latex balloons, one inside the other with talcum powder between as an anti-friction medium, described the Earth's flexible magma and gave an adequate basis for the imitation of the globe. Each balloon acts as a synergist, reinforcing the other to prevent distortion during the demonstration. The double balloon was fitted with a valve to facilitate inflation and deflation. A small, manual air pump was attached to the valve to allow a gradual supply of air for inflation. Deflation was achieved with a simple release of air from the valve. Custom-made, plastic-injection moulds were used to create the continents, with a curvature of 7.5 inches to conform to the circumference of the reduced globe. The continents were made of flexible plastic and formed equally thick -- approximately 1/16 of an inch. Formations to roughly simulate the Earth's mountains were added to the continents using resin. Narrow elastic ridges were formed from self-vulcanizing latex set in plastic moulds. These ridges were connected to the model at a later stage of the experiment. Their purpose is explained in the discussion of the demonstration. For the model, the continents were connected at neutral tangent points to simulate the Earth. The tangent point of each simulated continent was determined by balancing each land form on a pointed device. The location upon which each form was found to rest determined its neutral tangent point. This point was marked on each continent. To determine where to connect each continent to the globe by its neutral tangent point and the location of each continent, several steps were taken. The positions of the continents were achieved by first cutting the continents out of a standard 12-inch globe. The blank, double balloon was then inflated to 12 inches inside the continent-less globe. The continental perimeters were traced onto the blank balloon. The plastic continents were fitted in the corresponding holes on the globe and their neutral tangent points were marked on the balloon at the corresponding points. The balloon was then deflated, removed from the continent-less globe and inflated again to 12 inches. The plastic continents were located within their perimeters traced onto the balloon. Also see Riverbed Formation. The next but not less challenging question was how to connect the continents to the unmoving but stretching balloon surface. After much trial and error with different types of adhesives, Velcro® brand fasteners were used to connect the continents to the balloon at their corresponding tangent points. In effect, the continents were anchored to the centre of the planet. Once connected to the model at its neutral tangent point, none of the continents moves from its imaginary radial centre line during expansion or deflation. With the continents accurately positioned, the model was ready for demonstration. Top | Main | Model Demonstration