Scientists Found the Sunken Eighth Continent - Zealandia

Scientists have discovered Zealandia, a submerged continent that was previously little understood. Researchers obtained samples of rock and sediment from the ocean floor to create an improved map of Zealandia.

Phys.org reported this.

Zealandia, which is nearly submerged, separated from Australia around 83 million years ago due to geological forces. This continental breakup led to the formation of the continents we know today.

However, Zealandia remains largely underwater, with only about 6% of it, including New Zealand and neighboring islands, above the surface. Because it is submerged, it has not been extensively studied.

In a recent effort, a team of geologists and seismologists aimed to refine existing maps of Zealandia by studying samples of mountainous rock and sediment cores from drilling sites and island shores.

The researchers also analyzed seismic data from the region. Only after this secondary investigation did they create a more detailed map of the entire 5 million square-kilometer Zealandia.

During their research, scientists also identified geological structures in Western Antarctica, suggesting the possibility of a subduction zone near the Campbell Plateau, a linear boundary where tectonic plates collide, causing one to submerge beneath the other.

However, the researchers did not find any magnetic anomalies in this area, arguing against theories of significant displacement in the region. Instead, they speculate that the Campbell Magnetic Anomaly system resulted from the stretching of Gondwana during its breakup, forming the ocean floor located at the lower parts of Zealandia.

This improved map reveals not only the location of Zealandia's magmatic axis but also other significant geological features. Researchers assert that classifying Zealandia as a continent is scientifically valuable, as it meets all the criteria applied to Earth's seven other continents: it has significant elevation above the surrounding area, a well-defined area, and a thicker crust than the ocean floor.