Just
how do those mountains stay afloat in Avatar? Our readers
come up with some possible explanations . . .
The general reaction to those floating mountains in
Avatar was as one site visitor put
it: “On this planet, huge rocks can float (and generate endless water) -
don’t think about it too much.”
Another visitor e-mailed that “I did have a hard time
suspending disbelief for many, many reasons in the movie, but let it go
because it looked so damn good.”
However site visitors such as Andi from Germany
just couldn’t let it go:
“I think I am an open-minded sci-fi fan. I don’t
complain about giant flying rocks, but there was one thing that instantly
had my attention..... WATERFALLS ON THEM?! What the heck was Cameron
thinking? Maybe there are flying oceans above the rocks!”
Most of the site visitors believe that magnetism of some
sort is involved in keeping those mountains afloat:
“I would have thought that the grounded mountains and
the floating ones both have negative or both have positive magnetic
charges – really, really strong ones! Everyone has seen the floating
magnet trick:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpH_TD_SVTc. Something like that anyway
. . .”
One site visitor named John Newsom came up with
the most detailed (and lengthy) explanation for those mountains. John says
his scientific background comes from a “degree in construction
engineering” and, um, “reading science fictions books.” He says he
“started reading at six and never stopped.”
Here’s what he has to say:
“When they first entered the area that disturbs their
radar it is explained that it’s a nexus point of the planet. The location
of their god.
Early on in the movie they showed a real-time view of
the electric flow of the planet channelled at a single point. Without a
point of reference, I have to assume a moon-sized structure would produce
enormous amount of electricity - maybe enough to float mountains.
I assume that for their radar to be knocked out it would
mean there is a type of strong electric magnetic field. If in the same
area were clusters of lightweight Ferromagnetism material (material X) and
add the fact the gravity is less than that of Earth. Also include that we
know that two magnetic fields brought together will repel each other, this
repulsion could be the answer to how the mountain float.
It’s possible that material X, during the earlier days
of the planet’s formation, small chunks of this material floated away due
to the increasing strength of this magnetic field. As the jungle grew,
these chunks got stuck in the roots. Over time these roots grew bigger and
stronger as the smaller chunks became rocks, boulders, eventually
mountains. The bigger the chunks, the stronger the opposing fields, the
greater the height and size of the mountains. Pulling away from the
planet, but slow enough for the root system and trees to grow strong
enough to hold the evolution of the sand to rocks, then boulders and
finally mountains.
We see this sort of evolution all the time on our world.
Given enough time plants, if allowed, too will continue to grow and cover
everything, including whole cities.”
But there is a catch:
“The magnetic field that keeps the mountains afloat also
would tear the ships apart. Unless there was a totally different type of
field that acts like magnetism, but does not effect ferrous material like
Earth gun ships or the iron in our blood.”
And those waterfalls?
“Some of the mountains are pretty high up. It’s possible
storm clouds are constantly getting caught by them. A storm cloud flies
by, and is caught by the mountain, it floats there raining down onto the
mountain. The mountain might look solid, but could have a structure
similar to coral; all those openings and passage ways trap the water till
the entire structure fills up and starts to run over, forming waterfalls.
I would bet it’s similar to the system at the Grand Canyon. During the
raining season there you get these flash floods that run through their
forming the canyons you see today.
During the raining season on the planet the water starts
to collect in the mountains and eventually enough water is collected to
form the waterfalls. It’s seasonal, not constant.”
So there you have it. Do you have a scientific
background and think it’s all bunk? Agree? Then let us know at
scifimoviepage@yahoo.com
