Rethinking Earth’s History Through Science, Myth, And Catastrophe
Joseph O’Donoghue challenges conventional geology with a bold theory linking Ice Age catastrophes to the legend of Atlantis, grounded in evidence and the laws of physics.
Joseph O’Donoghue brings a rare combination of scientific training and independent inquiry to the enduring mysteries of our planet’s past. With a background in geology and decades of personal research, he has ventured beyond conventional academic boundaries to re-examine some of the most puzzling geological phenomena — particularly those surrounding the Ice Age and the lost civilisation of Atlantis. His work challenges mainstream doctrines with a rigorous, physics-based approach, drawing attention to overlooked evidence and encouraging a rethinking of Earth’s catastrophic history.
In this interview, O’Donoghue shares the motivations behind his quest, his scepticism toward uniformitarian principles, and the compelling connections he believes link geology with ancient myth.
A thought-provoking voice in geological science, offering fresh insight into ancient mysteries with clarity, courage, and a deeply analytical mind.
What inspired you to explore the connection between geology and the Atlantis legend?
My initial inspiration derived from a certain skepticism I developed toward a number of theories and principles met with during my years at university. The fact that the end of the Ice Age coincides with the end of Atlantis was intriguing and begged investigation, and doubly so since a number of other major events are also seen to have occurred at the time in question. Further, if a continent sank in the North Atlantic, then it must have done so by some geological process, of which evidence should still be there to be found.
“The fact that the end of the Ice Age coincides with the end of Atlantis was intriguing and begged investigation.” – Joseph O’Donoghue
How do you approach reconciling geological evidence with ancient myths like Atlantis?
I begin with a study of the evidence and a study of the legend, whatever it might be. The key to my approach is to ignore standard geological theory, which has no room for legends such as Atlantis. I bring an open mind to any question and my primary assessment of all geological evidence is through the lens of physics.
In your research, which geological discoveries have most significantly challenged orthodox geological theories?
Probably the most significant and well-known discovery is that of the multitudes of Pleistocene mammals such as mammoths, rhinoceros, auroch, horses, etc., etc., found frozen all across the arctic regions, especially in Siberia. Despite the denials of orthodox geology, these multitudes of frozen animals attest to a great catastrophe at the end of the Ice Age.
Can you elaborate on the role of catastrophism in your work and why it should be considered in modern geology?
It’s not so much that catastrophism plays a role in my work, as in my approach to any evidence, so much as my work indicates that catastrophes have played a role in the geological history of this planet. In other words, I don’t start with a bias, but with an open mind toward any body of evidence. As for catastrophism in modern geology, I certainly maintain that the possibility of major catastrophes in earth history is very real.
What are the most compelling pieces of evidence that support the existence of Atlantis, in your view?
The legend states that, at the same time that Atlantis sank beneath the waves, ancient Greece suffered a catastrophe involving major flooding over Greece. As I detail in my volume 2, the geological evidence attests to just such a catastrophe of widespread water action, and not to mention the worn-down condition of the Acropolis itself.
How do you think traditional geological theories, like uniformitarianism, have hindered the exploration of alternative explanations for Earth’s history?
Uniformitarianism as a governing paradigm has the effect of constraining thinking to within the confines of a slow, gradual, and uneventful earth history, and, since all students are essentially indoctrinated at university, alternatives are not even considered.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who wish to tackle controversial topics in science while maintaining a rigorous, evidence-based approach?
My primary advice would be to use an open-minded approach and focus on gathering all the evidence first, and ignore all standard theories of its formation. Secondarily, this evidence should then be tested against any laws of physics that pertain to that evidence.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
An intellectually stimulating exploration, blending geology and mythology, offering fresh insights into the Atlantis legend with a balanced, open-minded approach.
