After a long period, scientists have finally mapped the complete outline of Zealandia – the eighth continent on Earth.
Business Insider previously published an article about the eighth continent on Earth – Zealandia. After decades of research, scientists have finally been able to produce a complete map of Zealandia. The mysteries surrounding this lost continent are gradually being unveiled.
Scientists have created a complete map of Zealandia (Photo: Nick Mortimer/GNS Science).
Zealandia is an ancient continent that has not yet been fully explored by humans. 94% of Zealandia is submerged beneath the Pacific Ocean, with only islands like New Caledonia, South New Zealand, and North New Zealand emerging above water. Although the complete map was only finalized in September 2023, Zealandia has existed for 80 million years, gradually sinking and separating from the supercontinent Gondwana.
According to the map shared by Business Insider, Zealandia spans 1.9 million square miles (3 million square kilometers), which is about half the size of modern Australia. With this size, it is officially categorized as a continent, rather than a microcontinent like Madagascar, Mauritia, or Jan Mayen. Furthermore, Zealandia is significantly higher than the oceanic crust.
Depth map of Zealandia, with darker blue indicating deeper waters. (Photo: Nick Mortimer/GNS Science).
The borders of Zealandia connect its continental slopes to the ocean floor. The surface of this continent features numerous valleys, mountain ranges, canyons, and plains, which complicate exploration and mapping efforts.
Granite rock collected from northern Zealandia. (Photo: Nick Mortimer/GNS Science).
Zealandia is completely geologically distinct from other continents such as Eurasia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica. It is a “sibling” to Antarctica, Australia, Africa, and modern India. In the late Jurassic period (around 160 million years ago), the supercontinent Gondwana began to break apart.
Illustration of the first penguins in New Zealand 3 million years ago. (Photo: Simone Giovanardi/Massey University).
For a long time, we have been told about the seven continents that exist on Earth, which include: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia. However, there is still speculation that many civilizations and lands have been submerged beneath the ocean after a great flood. There is a true continent lying beneath the waves – Zealandia. Nevertheless, the scientific community has yet to explain all the mysteries surrounding this eighth continent. It will continue to be a subject of mystery that requires further research in the future.
