The pole shift hypothesis is the hypothesis that the axis of rotation of a planet has not always been at its present-day locations or that the axis will not persist there; in other words, that its physical poles had been or will be shifted. The Pole shift hypothesis is almost always discussed in the context of Earth, but other bodies in the Solar System may have experienced axial reorientation during their existences.

While many scientists believe a pole shift would occur over hundreds, or thousands of years, many conjectures have been suggested involving a very rapid polar shift that may occur over a few days, or even hours. The potential forces that could cause a reorientation of the Earth's axis of rotation include:

• A postglacial crustal rebound.

• A high-velocity asteroid or comet which hits Earth at such an angle that the lithosphere moves independent of the mantle.

• A high-velocity asteroid or comet which hits Earth at such an angle that the entire planet shifts axis.

• An unusually magnetic celestial object which passes close enough to Earth to temporarily reorient the magnetic field, which then "drags" the lithosphere about a new axis of rotation. Eventually, the sun's magnetic field again determines the Earth's, after the intruding celestial object "returns" to a location from which it cannot influence Earth.

• Perturbations of the topography of the core-mantle boundary, perhaps induced by differential core rotation and shift of its axial rotation vector, leading to CMB mass redistributions.

• Mass redistributions in the mantle from mantle avalanches or other deformations.

A slow pole shift in the poles would display the most minor alterations and no destruction. A more dramatic view assumes more rapid changes, with dramatic alterations of geography and localized areas of destruction due to earthquakes and tsunamis, and winds greater than 400 miles per hour.  Regardless of speed, the results of a shift occurring results in major climate changes for most of the Earth's surface, as areas that were formerly equatorial become temperate, and areas that were temperate become either more equatorial or more arctic.

To help resist this form of catastrophe, the Vivos shelters are designed to withstand:

• The effects of a magnetic pole shift
• 450 MPH surface winds

• Flooding submersion for extended periods
• Extreme external fires at 1,250 Fahrenheit
• Force 10 earthquakes in successions