In recent years, the flat earth movement has gained surprising traction despite the overwhelming body of evidence supporting the Earth’s spherical shape. What was once considered an archaic belief has been revitalised through social media, YouTube videos and online forums, attracting a global audience of sceptics and conspiracy theorists. Below we’ll take a look at some of the more extreme ideas flat earthers and why they’re wrong. This is common theories cited by flat earthers debunked
Flat earthers – often regarded as eccentric – reject conventional science, claiming the Earth is flat and surrounded by an “ice wall.” They dismiss photographic evidence from space, deny gravitational theory and even challenge basic physics. While their arguments often lack substance or evidence, their passion for the topic has fuelled debates across the internet and beyond.
Popular flat-earther theories debunked
While flat earth theories have persisted for centuries, they continue to be categorically debunked by science, evidence, logic and any sense of critical thinking. Here’s a breakdown of popular flat-earther claims and the evidence that disproves them.
1. “The horizon looks flat, so the Earth must be flat”
Flat earther argument: When standing on a large, flat plain or looking out at the ocean, the horizon appears flat which they argue proves the Earth isn’t spherical.
Why it’s wrong:
- The Earth’s curvature isn’t easily visible at ground level because the planet’s size is immense.
- The curvature becomes noticeable at higher altitudes, such as from an aeroplane, satellite imagery or even just the higher reaches of ski area like La Plagne, France which has pistes reaching over 3000m. Click here for a guide to La Plagne.
- Videos from weather balloons and the International Space Station (ISS) clearly show the Earth’s curved horizon.
2. “Water doesn’t curve; it always finds a level”
Flat earther argument: Water surfaces are always flat, and large bodies of water don’t “curve” around a spherical Earth.
Why it’s wrong:
- Gravity causes water to conform to the shape of the Earth, creating a consistent curved surface across oceans and lakes.
- Satellites and GPS data confirm the curvature of the Earth’s water surfaces, particularly in measuring sea level changes.
- If the Earth were flat, we’d see measurable differences in gravitational pull, which simply don’t exist.
3. “Space images are fake”
Flat earther argument: Images of Earth from space are dismissed as CGI or AI-created video, claiming space agencies like NASA are part of a global conspiracy to deceive the public.
Why it’s wrong:
- Photographs of Earth have been taken by numerous independent space missions, not just NASA. Countries like China, India and private companies like SpaceX have also captured similar imagery.
- The technology to create realistic CGI didn’t even exist when the first images of Earth were captured during the Apollo missions in the 1960s.
- Thousands of scientists and engineers would need to be involved in this “conspiracy” with no credible evidence to support such a claim. Even with emerging AI video tech like deepfakes, it’s simple incredulous that so many revered and respected scientists could possibly be involved.
4. “Airplanes don’t account for the Earth’s curve”
Flat earther argument: Flat earthers argue that pilots fly planes as though the Earth is flat, not accounting for any curvature.
Why it’s wrong:
- Aircraft fly at a constant altitude relative to the Earth’s curved surface, which is achieved by autopilot systems that adjust for curvature and gravity.
- Long-distance flight paths follow great-circle routes, which only make sense on a spherical Earth.
- The lack of need for constant manual correction doesn’t imply flatness; it’s just a reflection of how aviation works.
5. “There’s no real evidence of gravity”
Flat earther argument: Many flat earthers claim that gravity doesn’t exist and that objects simply “fall” because of density and buoyancy.
Why it’s wrong:
- Gravity is the force that causes objects to fall towards the Earth’s centre and keeps celestial bodies like the Moon and satellites in orbit.
- Buoyancy works because of gravity – it’s the upward force exerted by a fluid, counteracting the weight of an object.
- Experiments, such as Galileo’s and Einstein’s work, have repeatedly demonstrated the reality of gravitational force.
6. “Antarctica is an ice wall surrounding the Earth”
Flat earther argument: They propose that Antarctica is not a continent but a massive ice wall encircling the flat Earth, preventing water from spilling over the edge.
Why it’s wrong:
- Satellite imagery and expeditions have mapped Antarctica extensively, showing it as a large, distinct continent not a continuous wall.
- Antarctica has been traversed multiple times by scientists and adventurers.
- The existence of an ice wall would contradict centuries of geographic exploration and modern GPS systems.
7. “The Sun and Moon are closer than we’re told”
Flat earther argument: Flat earthers argue that the Sun and Moon are small, close objects circling above the Earth rather than celestial bodies in space.
Why it’s wrong:
- The apparent size of the Sun and Moon changes with their position in the sky, which wouldn’t happen if they were hovering above a flat plane.
- Solar eclipses, phases of the Moon and tides are all explained by the distances and relative positions of these bodies in space, consistent with a spherical Earth.
- Astronomical observations show that other planets and moons in the solar system are spherical, governed by the same laws of gravity.
8. “We’re stationary; the Earth doesn’t move”
Flat earther argument: Some believe the Earth is fixed in place and that the movement of the Sun and stars is an illusion.
Why it’s wrong:
- The phenomenon of day and night is caused by the Earth’s rotation on its axis, which is observable through time-lapse photography of star trails.
- The Coriolis effect, responsible for weather patterns and ocean currents, can only occur on a rotating planet.
- Space missions and satellite launches require precise calculations based on the Earth’s rotation and orbital movement.
9. “If Earth was spinning, we’d feel it”
Flat earther argument: People argue that the Earth’s rotation would be noticeable, causing objects and people to fly off.
Why it’s wrong:
- The Earth rotates at a constant speed and humans (along with everything else on the surface), are moving with it.
- This consistency means we don’t feel the movement, just as passengers don’t feel a steady-speed airplane’s motion.
- Forces like gravity far outweigh the centrifugal force of rotation, keeping everything securely on the planet. Even long timelapse photos like those taken at Tenerife’s Mount Teide show the rotation of the earth relative to stars in the night ski.
Final thoughts
While individual beliefs and free expression are important in a democratic society, the arguments put forward by flat earthers are overwhelmingly contradicted by science, evidence and common sense. From satellite images to the laws of physics, the case for a spherical Earth is airtight.
As space exploration advances, flat earthers will find it increasingly difficult to maintain their claims. Private companies like SpaceX are enabling more people to see the Earth from space, bringing direct evidence to the masses.
Ultimately, while conspiracy theories like flat earth beliefs can be intriguing, they often distract from meaningful scientific discourse and progress. Encouraging critical thinking and educating people on basic scientific principles remains key to debunking such ideas and fostering a more informed world.
