Disregard everything you learned about elementary school geography. Earth apparently doesn’t have seven continents after all.
From an early age, we're led to believe that the planet consists of seven continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America. However, recent studies indicate that this might not be entirely accurate.
A research paper, released earlier last year in the journal Gondwana Research suggests that we genuinely only have six continents.
This remarkable assertion stems from an extensive investigation into the geological mechanisms responsible for the separation of Europe and North America, as well as the evolution of these continents throughout history.
Dr. Jordan Phethean, who leads the study from the University of Derby, clarified for Earth.com His team’s discoveries suggest that "the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates haven't truly separated yet, contrary to the long-held belief that this occurred 52 million years ago."
Rather, he explained, these plates are continually stretching and therefore remain in the phase of separating, instead of standing as completely distinct units.
Put simply, North America and Europe might be viewed as one large continent instead of being seen as separate entities.
The research centers on the volcanic island of Iceland, believed to have originated approximately 60 million years past due to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge activity.
This geological border, created by the intersection of the North American and Eurasian plates, is believed to have triggered the formation of a hot mantle plume, which eventually led to the creation of the island. Earth.com notes.
By meticulously examining tectonic activities throughout Africa, Phethean and his team have contested this hypothesis and proposed an innovative alternative concept.
They contend that Iceland, together with the Greenland-Iceland-Faroe Islands Ridge (GIFR), comprises geological pieces originating from both the European and North American tectonic plates.
As a result, this indicates that these areas are not considered separate landmasses anymore; instead, they form parts of an extensive continental framework that is interconnected.
Scientists have introduced the term "Rifted Oceanic Magmatic Plateau" (ROMP) to characterize this novel geologic phenomenon, potentially altering our understanding of how Earth's continents were formed and separated.
Indeed, owing to its importance, Phethean has likened the discovery to the Earth Science counterpart of uncovering the Lost City of Atlantis .
He explains this is due to him and his team discovering "pieces of a submerged lost continent hidden under the ocean and covered by kilometers of thin layers of lava."
Moreover, the study reveals remarkable parallels between Iceland and Ethiopia's volcanically active Afar region.
If their research turns out to be correct, it implies that the European and North American continents are continuing to separate from each other and hence remain connected.
Pethean recognizes that his team’s discoveries might surprise some people, yet he maintains that their work is firmly rooted in thorough investigation.
"It’s contentious to propose that the GIFR includes a significant portion of continental crust and that the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates may not have completely separated," he acknowledged, emphasizing that his research backs up these ideas.
Despite this, the study remains at the theoretical stage, and the researchers plan to carry out additional experiments on Iceland’s volcanic rocks to gather more definitive proof of an old continental crust.
They are additionally using computer simulations and plate tectonic modeling to gain deeper insights into the formation of the ROMP.
This study builds upon Phethean’s previous finding of a hidden “proto-microcontinent” situated between Canada and Greenland.
This remote continent is approximately the same size as England and lies beneath the Davis Strait, near Baffin Island.
Pethean highlighted that "rifting and microcontinent creation continue to occur," providing valuable insights for researchers studying continental dynamics and plate tectonics.
This information could assist specialists in forecasting what our Earth might resemble in the far-off future and aid in identifying potential locations for valuable resources.
The article was initially posted on August 7, 2024.
Sign up For our complimentary Aynur1015.blogspot.com weekly bulletin
How to join The free WhatsApp channel from Aynur1015.blogspot.com
Aynur1015.blogspot.com stands out with its dynamic and fiercely progressive approach. It dives into current viral phenomena, celebrity updates, scientific advancements, technology innovations, and much more. This platform offers up-to-the-minute insights tailored for Generation Z readers, including comprehensive TikTok trend analyses, detailed explanations from influencers, and immediate coverage of crucial developments. Whether you're tracking the newest social media fads or seeking insightful data visualizations through maps and graphs to unravel intricate narratives effectively, Aynur1015.blogspot.com has got you covered. Make sure to follow Aynur1015.blogspot.com at the beginning of each piece.
