Quote Originally Posted by Myranda View Post
It's also clear that the aether and elemental affinities play a role in Hydaelyn geology/geography as well.
Something a lot of fantasy writers do when creating their worlds is begin with the laws of our own world and then add magic. This not only creates a sense of familiarity to stop the world being too alien, but also helps emphasise that which is different.
Options for Eorzea include rapid geological progression during Umbral Eras, while Astral Eras return to "normal" (what we are familiar with).

Now you mentioned continental drift. I'm not trying to suggest that the uplift of the Coerthas mountains happened in the space of a few thousand years (the earthquakes would be civilisation-breaking). I'm suggesting that it's been going on since "creation".

The scientist in me is also very wary of taking the myth of creation surrounding the first umbral era too seriously - creation myths have a habit of mis-representing the truth.


(Your terms are on the money: the pre-cambrian period represents about seven eighths of geological time on earth, and simultaneously all of "day two" in the bible's first creation myth.)