Weird earth : debunking strange ideas about our planet / Donald R. Prothero.

Includes bibliographic resources and index.

"Aliens. Ley lines. Water dowsing. Conspiracies and myths captivate imaginations and promise mystery and magic. Whether it's arguing about the moon landing hoax or a Frisbee-like Earth drifting through space, when held up to science and critical thinking, these ideas fall flat... In 'Weird Earth. Debunking Strange Ideas About Our Planet,' Donald R. Prothero demystifies these conspiracies and offers answers to some of humanity's most outlandish questions."--From publisher's description.

"Applying his extensive scientific knowledge, Prothero corrects misinformation that con artists and quacks use to hoodwink others about geology--hollow earth, expanding earth, and bizarre earthquakes--and mystical and paranormal happenings--healing crystals, alien landings, and the gates of hell. By deconstructing wild claims such as prophesies of imminent natural disasters, Prothero provides a way for everyone to recognize dubious assertions. Prothero answers these claims with facts, offering historical and scientific context in a light-hearted manner that is accessible to everyone, no matter their background. With a careful layering of evidence in geology, archaeology, and biblical and historical records, Prothero's Weird Earth examines each conspiracy and myth and leaves no question unanswered."--Dust jacket flap.

Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Science and critical thinking -- The flat earth -- Ptolemy revisited -- The hollow earth -- Is the earth expanding? -- Did we really land on the Moon? -- Magnetic myths -- Earth-shaking myths -- Quacks and quakes -- Was there a great flood? -- Are dinosaurs faked? -- Is the earth only six thousand years old? -- Mysteries of Mount Shasta -- The myth of Atlantis -- The mysterious ley lines -- Crystal con artists -- Water witching -- Mysterious earth: why people want to believe weird things.