Are We Really the First Civilization on Earth?

[Subduction Zone]

I'm talking huge chunks of ice, like the one that recently calved off Antarctica... Like the size of Delaware or some insanely big piece... I know that something of that size would have already displaced water levels to an extent, but land slides into the ocean on Japanese side of the ocean can create tsunamis that would wreak all sorts of havoc on the coast of the Americas, and vice verse. Ice events like this could be catastrophic too.

There is a big concern for the Eastern seaboard of the US today with a fear that a small island off the coast of Spain and Africa, a volcanic island with the beginnings of a huge crack forming in it, could calve off and slide into the Atlantic creating a tsunami of epic proportions in the Americas.

Geologically speaking, events such as these are pretty common. Some of the smallest islands in Hawaii, the ones furthest west in the chain, used to be two or three times the size they are today, used to be the size of the big island. Shelves have calved off of those islands over time and have created huge tsunamis all around the Pacific.

As to the Hawaiian islands I do not think that you are correct. The islands have sunk over time. You might want to look up the concept of isostacy. Or I could link later when I get home.

 

[shunyadragon]

I'd like to add that there is so much about the earth that is unknown and large areas unexplored one can't help but get that tingle to imagine the possibilities.

I disagree that 'there is so much about the earth that is unknown and large areas unexplored.' Thanks to modern technology and satellites, and the fact that the earth is punched threw with drill holes looking for minerals and resources. To one degree or another the earth is mapped in detail.

 

[shunyadragon]

As to the Hawaiian islands I do not think that you are correct. The islands have sunk over time. You might want to look up the concept of isostacy. Or I could link later when I get home.

Actually the Hawaiian Islands erode into sea platforms, and do not sink so much. The oceanic crust migrated over a hot spot in the earth creating a chain of islands over a period of millions of years.

 

[Drizzt Do'Urden]

As to the Hawaiian islands I do not think that you are correct. The islands have sunk over time. You might want to look up the concept of isostacy. Or I could link later when I get home.

I'm familiar with the term, geology was one of my favorite sciences back in my college days and I try to stay abreast of advances in it.

I'm talking we've mapped the sea floors, and they see rubble all around the western islands, at least 15 identified so far

Giant Hawaiian Underwater Landslides: USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Posters

 

[Twilight Hue]

I disagree that 'there is so much about the earth that is unknown and large areas unexplored.' Thanks to modern technology and satellites, and the fact that the earth is punched threw with drill holes looking for minerals and resources. To one degree or another the earth is mapped in detail.

Here's why I think most of the earth is still untouched and unseen by humans.

How much of the ocean have we explored?

Inner Earth Is Teeming With Exotic Forms of Life | Science | Smithsonian

While I'm not sure about a thriving civilization, I'm pretty sure there is some amazing things yet to discover.

With bated breath though I think it would be pretty cool if we ever came across "dwellers" either in the ocean or in the Earth.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Actually the Hawaiian Islands erode into sea platforms, and do not sink so much. The oceanic crust migrated over a hot spot in the earth creating a chain of islands over a period of millions of years.

My geology may be three decades out of date. I thought that was the explanation for the over one thousand mile chain going WNW from Hawaii, most of which is quite a bit below the surface of the ocean.

 

[Drizzt Do'Urden]

My geology may be three decades out of date. I thought that was the explanation for the over one thousand mile chain going WNW from Hawaii, most of which is quite a bit below the surface of the ocean.

I believe shunyadragon is right.

The lava that comes out of the volcanos is very porous when it hardens. It piles up on itself over millions of years and then collapses under the weigh, and taking into account the actions of water against the coasts of the islands. The smaller islands to the west of the main island, and the ones that are submerged, have all been dissolving/crumbling over millions of years.

In millions of years, the big island will probably crumble and eventually be submerged, with a bunch of islands to its east.

 

[Valjean]

I think that the article was more about pre-human civilization. For example if there was an intelligent race of dinosaurs almost all of the evidence of their existence would have disappeared by now. The article seemed to be considering what our long term lasting evidence is and speculating whether that exists at all for other beings. And yes, none found to date nor even a hint of it.

And speaking of drilling the only artifacts that I could think of that I have seen from drilling that could not be found in outcrops are buried wood pieces from the last glaciation. Wood when it gets to the surface either quickly decomposes or is all but indistinguishable from modern pieces of wood. I worked for the Minnesota Geological Survey once and occasionally drillers would send in such samples.

How could a prehistoric, industrial civilization not leave overwhelming evidence of its existence? We have evidence of primitive life from nearly four billion years ago. If we can find that, how could the architecture, indestructible industrial products and widespread chemical remnants of a civilization even remotely like our own possibly be overlooked?
Now I can see how a small, isolated, primitive civilization might be overlooked, but it seems to me an extensive civilization or one with widespread economic contacts would be hard to miss.

 

[Srivijaya]

There are still plenty of mysteries around known ancient civilisations, like for instance the Minoans. One theory is that the legend of Atlantis was based on the catastrophic destruction of the Minoan's assumed military power base of Thera by volcanic activity. An amazing civilisation which seeded the Greek world, left tantalizing artifacts and then just vanished - even from all historical record.

Little is known about the Indus Valley civilisations, though much work is now being done.

Also for large glacial activity affecting land mass, see how the island of Britain became cut off from Europe and Doggerland was submerged by a combination of rising sea levels and a catastrophic tsunami caused by a massive underwater landslide.

Like others have said though, if significantly advanced civilisations existed before this time you'd expect something to have turned up. If an alien 'earth base' was established on the cooling crust of the early planet, we're unlikely to ever know about it.

 

[shunyadragon]

Here's why I think most of the earth is still untouched and unseen by humans.

How much of the ocean have we explored?

Yes much is physically unexplored, but the ocean floor has been mapped in detail, and all the various formations have been explored directly, and this is continuing. You do not need to 'see' every part of the earth to have pretty complete understanding and knowledge of the earth.

Inner Earth Is Teeming With Exotic Forms of Life | Science | Smithsonian

Your over stating this source. Layman's sources are often over stated. It has been known for some time

While I'm not sure about a thriving civilization, I'm pretty sure there is some amazing things yet to discover.

There are of course amazing things to be discovered, but given the amount of evidence and continuing research of the earth, the is absolutely no remote evidence for any civilization prior to humans on earth.

With bated breath though I think it would be pretty cool if we ever came across "dwellers" either in the ocean or in the Earth.

Don't hold your breath too long it is bad for your health. You might try an aluminum foil helmet.

 

[shunyadragon]

I believe shunyadragon is right.

The lava that comes out of the volcanos is very porous when it hardens. It piles up on itself over millions of years and then collapses under the weigh, and taking into account the actions of water against the coasts of the islands. The smaller islands to the west of the main island, and the ones that are submerged, have all been dissolving/crumbling over millions of years.

In millions of years, the big island will probably crumble and eventually be submerged, with a bunch of islands to its east.

Topographically these ancient island are under sea platform cut off by wave erosion. They are a bit deeper because sea level rise since the last glaciation.