The world’s first complete map of the “lost continent” of Zealandia, which includes New Zealand and the French colony of New Caledonia, has been created, giving scientists insight into how the continent was formed tens of millions of years ago. It brought new understanding.
Zealandia, known in Māori as Te Riu a Māui. First recognized as a continent in 2017 And now it is the first place where we have a complete map of its rock composition, volcanic activity, and sediment margins.
This is despite the continent being almost completely underwater, with only about 5% of Zealandia peeking above sea level. The researchers published their findings in a journal on September 12th. Crustal deformation.
In total, Zealandia’s area is estimated to be 1.9 million square miles (4.9 million square kilometers). In 2019, scientists Geology of the South Zealandia region It has an area of 600,000 square miles (1.5 million square kilometers). These discoveries reveal that Zealandia stretched, twisted and thinned as it separated from the Gondwana supercontinent between 60 million and 100 million years ago.
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In the latest study, researchers mapped the underwater region of Northern Zealandia, located between New Zealand, New Caledonia and Australia.
Scientists have discovered that the separation of Zealandia and Gondwana was caused in part by a huge volcanic field containing magnetic lava that spans the length of the boundary between the two landmass.
“As the continents stretched and thinned like pizza dough, molten magma poured out through cracks and crevices.” nick mortimerA geologist from the National Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS Science) said: statement. This volcanic activity ultimately helped separate Zealandia from Gondwana.
“Until now, the role of magma in the breakup of Gondwana has been underestimated.” Wanda Stratfordsaid marine geophysicists at GNS Science in a statement. These lavas occupy an area of 100,000 square miles (250,000 square kilometers) across the continent, which is about the size of New Zealand, she added.
Scientists have created a complete map of the 100 million to 250 million year old granite spine that winds through the middle of the Zealandia River by studying rock samples taken from the ocean floor near New Caledonia. I could have done that.
GNS Science said in a statement that the Zealandia map could help shed light on New Zealand’s resources, environment and natural disasters.
