TerraMakers by Jan Mestan

Welcome to TerraMakers
by Jan Mestan

Exploring the Chthonian Planet Earth–advancing physics through geophysical research, publications, public lectures, and expanding Earth globes modeling. AI is not our enemy.

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Jan Mestan

Jan Mestan is a Prague-based innovator and science communicator with a background in geology, physics, and geophysics, known for pioneering new models of Earth's dynamics and challenging conventional tectonic theories.

Jan Mestan, born in 1991, is an innovator and science communicator currently based in Prague. He has a diverse academic and professional background in geology, applied physics, and tectonics, which enables him to blend scientific inquiry with creative exploration, particularly in the fields of geoscience and astronomy. In addition, he brings valuable practical experience from areas such as airport operations, highway construction, and administration.

Jan earned a Bachelor's degree in Geology from Charles University in Prague, with a focus on hydrogeology, engineering geology, and applied geophysics. He continued his studies in applied physics at the Technical University of Ostrava and in geophysics at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, where he was awarded a GFPS scholarship.

In 2004, Jan met Dr. Jean-Pierre Luminet, a renowned astrophysicist known for creating the first visual representation of a black hole. Jean-Pierre is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in cosmology, contributions to understanding the nature of black holes, and research on the structure of the universe. During their meeting, Jan received an award in Paris for his video about the transit of Venus across the Sun, which showcased his early talent in astronomy communication and marked a key milestone in his scientific career. This encounter not only recognized Jan's abilities in visual science communication but also sparked his passion for cosmic exploration and engaging with the scientific community in innovative ways.

Jan won the national final of the Astronomy Olympiad in Czechia in 2007, further confirming his dedication to the field of astronomy. That same year, he received a grant from the European Southern Observatory to visit the VLT facility in Chile.

In the years that followed, his scientific contributions continued to gain recognition. In 2014, he received a student travel grant from the American Geophysical Union. His academic achievements were further acknowledged in 2015, when he was awarded the Seismik Prize for the best bachelor's and master's thesis in theoretical and applied geophysics. In 2017, he received a Bayhost scholarship from the Bavarian Ministry of Education, and in 2019, a scholarship from the Chinese government.

Jan's research interests span a wide range of topics, including horizontal tectonic movements in North America, passive seismic methods for aircraft landing monitoring, seismic source modeling for subsurface exploration, U-Th-Pb dating in monazite mineralization zones, and density variations in quartz as a key to understanding impact-related structures based on the Rajlich's hypothesis. His scientific work includes peer-reviewed journal articles, a final university thesis, a book chapter, and numerous presentations at international conferences that bridge traditional geophysics with scientific modeling.

Currently, Jan focuses on promoting the concept of the Expanding Earth. He designs and produces custom EVOGLOBES–models that offer a visually engaging way to understand Earth's dynamic evolution and challenge traditional plate tectonic theory. These models are available to scientific institutions, educators, universities, corporations, and individuals interested in innovative educational tools and scientific models. By purchasing EVOGLOBES, customers support the exploration and dissemination of new scientific ideas while acquiring a unique educational resource.

Jan can be contacted at info@terramakers.com, and more information about his academic background is available on his ORCID profile: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3918-660X. Or alternatively visit Google Scholar or Linkedin.

THE MILESTONES

IMPORTANT YEARS

2018

Earth as a Chthonian Planet

In 2018, at the FameLab competition in Prague, Czechia, Jan Mestan presented the idea that Earth is a chthonian planet, accompanied by a demonstration of the shape similarity between the continental margins of Zealandia and South America.

2023

First Prototype of EVOGLOBES

In 2023, Jan Mestan created the first prototype of the expanding Earth model, named EVOGLOBES. For the first time, such a model incorporates innovative 3D modeling techniques and computer processing of cutting-edge satellite data.

2025

First Publication

The first comprehensive publication by Jan Mestan, titled Revisiting GPS-Derived Plate Kinematics: Evaluation of the Integration of Plate Motion Models in Terrestrial Reference Frames, demonstrates that plate motions described by plate tectonic theory are not valid.

Chthonian Earth

The Earth is a physical system, governed by the same laws that apply throughout the universe. It stands as a unique space laboratory for studying the formation and behavior of extraordinarily condensed, ultra-viscous materials.

Chthonian planets are a theoretical class of exoplanets: extremely dense, rocky bodies thought to be the remnants of gas giants that have been stripped of their atmospheres by intense stellar radiation. The term was introduced in a 2004 paper by G. Hebrard et al., who proposed that such planetary cores could remain after the evaporation of hot Jupiters.

In 2018, Jan Mestan was the first to formulate the idea that Earth itself might be a chthonian planet. Given their expected tendency to relax and expand after losing their outer layers, Jan explores the hypothesis of Earth's expansion through two main approaches: modeling the ancient geological configurations of the planet and analyzing modern satellite geodetic data that appear to carry signatures of global expansion.

The first independent publication to acknowledge that Jan Mestan was the originator of the idea that Earth is a chthonian planet is a 2023 paper by chemical engineer Richard Cronin, who explicitly cites: 'With the loss of the initial proto-atmosphere to provide a rocky planet, Earth is best described as a Chthonian planet (Mestan, 4).'

Publications

READ OUR PUBLICATIONS

Law and Principle of Chthonian Planet Expansion

The paper will examine the mechanisms driving the expansion of chthonian planets. It will explore how internal pressures and core dynamics shape their evolution. It will also consider the fundamental principles governing planetary transformation under extreme conditions.

Area: Pure Physics, Theoretical Astrophysics

Author: Jan Mestan, TerraMakers

Measuring Earth's Expansion Using GPS Technology

The paper will examine methods for measuring Earth’s expansion using GPS technology. It will explore how precise geodetic data can detect changes in the planet’s size and shape. It will also discuss the implications of these measurements for understanding geophysical processes and Earth's long-term dynamics.

Area: Applied Physics, Geodesy

Author: Jan Mestan, TerraMakers

Measuring Earth's Expansion Through Gravimetric Observations

The paper will examine methods for measuring Earth’s expansion through gravimetric observations. It will explore how variations in gravity can reveal changes in the planet’s structure and size. It will also discuss the implications of these findings for understanding geophysical and planetary dynamics.

Area: Applied Physics, Geophysics

Author: Jan Mestan, TerraMakers

Measuring Earth's Expansion via Rotational Dynamics

The paper will examine how Earth’s expansion can be measured through its rotational dynamics. It will explore the relationship between changes in rotation and variations in the planet’s structure and mass distribution. It will also discuss the implications of these observations for understanding geophysical processes and planetary evolution.

Area: Applied Physics, Geophysics

Author: Jan Mestan, TerraMakers

Modeling Earth's Expansion Using 3D Rapid Prototyping Techniques

The paper will examine modeling Earth’s expansion using 3D rapid prototyping techniques. It will explore how physical models can simulate changes in planetary structure and dynamics. It will also discuss the insights these models provide into geophysical processes and Earth’s long-term evolution.

Area: Experimental Geoscience

Author: Jan Mestan, TerraMakers

Geological Aspects of Earth's Expansion

The paper will examine the geological aspects of Earth’s expansion. It will explore how tectonics, rock formations, and crustal processes reflect changes in the planet’s size and structure. It will also discuss the implications of these geological observations for understanding Earth’s long-term evolution.

Area: Geology

Author: Jan Mestan, TerraMakers

Understanding Earth–Moon Angular Momentum through a Chthonian Earth Framework

This paper will examine the distribution of angular momentum in the Earth–Moon system, in which approximately 80% is associated with the Moon’s orbital motion and 20% with Earth’s rotation. It will explore a model in which the early Earth was a massive gas giant—a chthonian proto-Earth—that gradually lost a substantial fraction of its mass. The study will show how this early mass loss and redistribution could influence the present angular momentum balance between Earth and Moon. This framework will provide a novel perspective on the formation and rotational dynamics of the Earth–Moon system, highlighting the importance of initial planetary mass and internal structure in shaping long-term orbital and rotational characteristics.

Area: Theoretical Astrophysics

Author: Jan Mestan, TerraMakers

Revisiting GPS-Derived Plate Kinematics: Evaluation of the Integration of Plate Motion Models in Terrestrial Reference Frames

Author: Jan Mestan, TerraMakers

Abstract

Tectonic plate motion is a cornerstone of the physical theory of plate tectonics, yet our understanding of lithospheric kinematics increasingly depends on the framework in which measurements are interpreted. With the advent of satellite-based geodesy, particularly the Global Positioning System (GPS), direct measurement of Earth's surface dynamics has become possible with millimeter-level precision. However, integration of plate rotation models such as the No Net Rotation-NUVEL-1A (NNR-NUVEL-1A) into terrestrial reference frames, particularly the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF), introduces a model-dependent bias that compromises the observational fidelity of crustal motion data. This paper critically examines the assumptions embedded in these physical frameworks, demonstrating how model-based corrections can obscure or distort the true Earth-fixed crustal motion. It is argued that tectonic behavior, as revealed through raw GPS measurements, is more complex and variable than the rigid-plate paradigm implies. A reevaluation of reference frame construction is proposed to better align geophysical observation with physical principles.

Keywords: GPS, ITRF, Plate Tectonics, Kinematics

The report can be accessed on TerraMakers website at report1.pdf

or via the EarthArXiv website at https://doi.org/10.31223/X5BJ01 (published on June 7, 2025)

or via The Astrophysics Data System of The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (Harvard University) at
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/
2025EaArX...X5BJ01M%2F/.

Summary for General Audience

This paper questions a basic idea in geology: that giant pieces of Earth's surface (called tectonic plates) move like big, solid blocks. Today, we can measure how the ground moves very accurately using GPS satellites. But when scientists analyze this data, they often use models that assume the plates are moving in a certain way. The problem is, those models can accidentally hide what's really happening. By correcting the GPS data based on those assumptions, we might be forcing the data to fit the theory–instead of letting the data speak for itself. This paper shows that the actual ground movements might be more complex and less rigid than the usual plate tectonics model suggests. The author argues we should rethink how we measure and interpret Earth's movements, so we can better understand what's truly going on.

A 3D Rapid Prototyping Method for Visualizing Earth's Expansion Through Handcrafted Models: A Chthonian Planet Perspective

Author: Jan Mestan, TerraMakers

Abstract

Modeling the physical evolution of Earth as a self-organizing particle system remains a formidable computational challenge, particularly over geological timescales spanning hundreds of millions to billions of years. Given the astronomical number of interacting particles, direct one-to-one physical simulation is currently unfeasible. This study introduces a rapid prototyping methodology that approximates the macroscale geometric effects of Earth's hypothesized volumetric expansion, especially over the last c. 180 million years, through analog modeling techniques. By iteratively reconstructing present-day continental crust positions on progressively smaller-radius spheres, a consistent and coherent geometric fit among continents emerges. Within this framework, Earth is conceptualized as a chthonian planet undergoing long-term volumetric expansion driven by internal relaxation following an early-stage compressed state. This approach offers a physically motivated, low-resolution visualization platform and challenges conventional rigid-plate tectonic models, encouraging further investigation of planetary-scale geodynamics under relaxed structural constraints.

Keywords: Earth, Expansion, Chthonian Planet, Analog Modeling, Relaxation, Rapid Prototyping

The report can be accessed on TerraMakers website at report2.pdf

or via the Zenodo website (funded by CERN) at https://doi.org/
10.5281/zenodo.17308445 (published on October 9, 2025)

or via the ESS OPEN ARCHIVE website (by AGU and Wiley) at https://doi.org/
10.22541/essoar.176005596.61564713/v1 (published on October 10, 2025)

or via The Astrophysics Data System of The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (Harvard University) at
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/
2025esoar.61564713M/.

Our 3D print models are available on our Printables profile.

Summary for General Audience

Understanding how Earth has changed over hundreds of millions of years is extremely complex and hard to simulate in detail. This study presents a new method to explore a bold idea: that Earth has slowly expanded in size over the past 180 million years. Instead of trying to model every small part of the planet, the method uses simplified models to fit the continents together on smaller versions of Earth, like puzzle pieces on a shrinking ball. The results suggest that the continents fit more neatly on a smaller Earth, supporting the idea that the planet may have expanded over time. This challenges the traditional view of fixed-sized plate tectonics and opens the door to new ways of thinking about Earth's long-term evolution.

Our Offer

Science needs to be popularized, and that's why we have special offers just for you.

We offer the EVOGLOBES–a unique series of expanding Earth globes designed for educational purposes or as eye-catching home decor. The largest model has a diameter of approximately 15 cm. If you're interested, feel free to contact us at info@terramakers.com. The full set is available for 500 EUR.

We can also create custom-sized versions of EVOGLOBES–either smaller or larger than the standard model. In these cases, the price is variable depending on the size and specifications. For more information, please contact us at the email address info@terramakers.com.

Jan Mestan is also happy to visit you in person and offer a LECTURE on the topic of the Chthonian Planet Earth. He has experience in this field and has previously lectured at institutions such as the Faculty of Science, Charles University, and at the IMAGE Theatre in Prague. The lecture fee is available upon request via email at info@terramakers.com. Travel and, if necessary, accommodation costs are expected to be covered by the hosting party.

We are also able to create EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS for you, such as posters of the expanding Earth. This depends on mutual agreement and specific requirements. Don't hesitate to contact us at the email address mentioned above.

FameLab: The Idea Was Presented That We Live on a Chthonian Planet

2018

Classification of Earth as a chthonian planet
Presentation of the logic behind the assembly of continents
The shape similarity between Zealandia and South America

The presentation of Earth as a chthonian planet sparked great interest, enthusiasm, and discussion.

A Lecture on the Chthonian Planet Earth Was Held at the IMAGE Theatre Prague

2019

A lecture at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, held at the invitation of students and faculty, was a great success. Encouraged by the positive response, Jan decided to organize a larger public lecture in the auditorium of the IMAGE Theatre.

A lecture for the general public
Presentation of Earth as a chthonian planet
Explanation of geological indicators of Earth's expansion

The lecture at the IMAGE Theatre was a success, and Jan received many thank-you emails in response.

Online Meeting on Expanding Earth Modeling with James Maxlow

2020

An online meeting focused on Expanding Earth modeling was held with James Maxlow, a well-known proponent of the theory. The meeting was organized by Stephen Hurrell and brought together several researchers and enthusiasts, including Jan Koziar and Jan Mestan, to exchange ideas and discuss recent developments in the field.

A unique opportunity for exchanging ideas
Presentation of opinions from experts and amateurs
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

Jan Mestan accepted the invitation and participated in the meeting with much more experienced colleagues who have long studied the theory of Earth's expansion. This opportunity for exchanging ideas was truly unique and one of a kind.