The Vailan or annular theory: A synopsis of Prof. I. N. Vail's argument in support of the claim that this Earth once possessed a Saturn-like system of rings

"The Vailan or annular theory: A synopsis of Prof. I. N. Vail's argument in support of the claim that this Earth once possessed a Saturn-like system of rings" by Stephen Bowers is a scientific exploration of a bold idea: that Earth once featured rings like Saturn's. Bowers' book is an early publication meant to encourage scientists to think about Vail's unusual claims that these rings caused Earth's crust to form, mountains to rise, coal to develop, ice to become frozen, the moon to slow, and that the final ring's fall caused Noah's flood, which is a biblical story. Bowers uses a mix of geology and notes from other planets to say Earth’s history is tied to cosmic events and that Vail's theory challenges the common ways of understanding geology, and that planetary ring systems are a common part of how planets grow.