Symmes’ Theory

Symmes' Theory, proposed by American army officer John Cleves Symmes Jr. in the early 19th century, is one of the most famous Hollow Earth concepts. He argued that Earth consists of five concentric spheres, all habitable and accessible through massive openings at the poles. Symmes passionately campaigned for expeditions to explore these polar holes, claiming inner worlds existed with their own light sources and ecosystems. Though scientifically disproven, his theory captured public imagination and influenced literature and exploration. This early 19th-century hypothesis remains a fascinating chapter in alternative geology and polar mythology.