Prepare to have your mind blown

[Zantetsuken]

Or Dalamud somehow attracts aether, in a similar manner to a magnet attracting iron, this will allow the crystal tower to come up, possibly at Silvertear falls, and it would explain the chained down crystal in the pdfs, but other things remain unaffected.

This attraction of aether could bring some of it in contact with dalamud that causes a huge explosion (or some other reaction) to change the face of Eorzea.

Thats my thorey on it and the pieces fit together nicely.

Except virtually everything is affected.. Every map will be remade, even the cities. In fact, the only thing in the concept art that looks the same is Ishgard (and we know the dungeons will remain in tact).

The Gravity deformation via Dalamud proximity theory neatly explains the huge spikes of earth erupting and other anomalies. Granted, it could be done via "aether magnetism" just as easily. Perhaps the eruptions of earth are due to the fact that they have heavy aether concentrations in them...

So yeah, either one works for me.

The time-gap, world-rebuilding issue is the only thing I'm really curious about now. How do they explain entire cities, new empire outposts, Trains, ruins, giant fortresses etc.. all built or rebuilt overnight?

My guess is that Atomos will make an appearance...