The Geometrical and Gravitational Rejection of the Continental Drift Theory: A Radial Growth Model of Earth (Apple Model)

Description ( This independent research presents a new geometrical and gravitational interpretation of Earth’s evolution, proposing the Apple Model — a Radial Growth Model of Earth that challenges the classical Continental Drift Theory and Plate Tectonics. Through geometrical reasoning, it demonstrates that if the ancient continents once covered the entire surface of a smaller Earth, the present 29% continental coverage requires an increased radius. A proportional analysis shows that a 1.8× increase in radius would result in a 4× increase in surface area, explaining the current oceanic expansion. The paper also critiques the gravitational inconsistencies of Wegener’s model, the lack of a realistic mechanism for horizontal continental motion, and the thermodynamic implications of Earth’s internal expansion. An experimental analogy using the natural growth of an apple shows how surface cracks and separations (like continental margins) can form as the sphere expands radially. This model establishes a geometric–gravitational framework for understanding continental separation, global warming, fossil burial, and the gradual increase in Earth’s distance from the Sun over geologic time. Keywords Earth expansion, Apple Model, continental drift, Wegener theory, plate tectonics, gravitational model, radial growth, geomorphology, fossil record