How many continents?? 7 or 8 or more - Zealandia
If anyone has generally asked the question about the number of continents one is aware of (Ohkay, let's time proof it by saying dated 20th-21st century), the answer would normally tend to be 7. Right? A continent which by convention is a large continuous part of land which is ideally separated by water. This is what we had known. So if we were to say the name of the continents we would say.
Australia, Asia, Antarctica, Africa, Europe, North America, South America... Right??
What if we say that there is more than that?? Latest discovery has pointed to the fact that there is indeed a more than seven continent. Yes, there is indeed a hidden treasure of land laying underwater under the Pacific ocean waiting for the exploration to be done.
We have to understand this, that all these continents were just one continent called Panagea which about billion years ago broke apart due to the tectonic shift [ movement of tectonic plates - a massive irregularly shaped rocks with size from hundred to thousands of kilometers which make up the Earth' crust ] which happened.
Technically, the one discovered or say confirmed in 2017 (evidence of it's presence around 300+ years before it) is more than 90% covered in water.. And although this was totally confirmed in 2017, there was always a hint of its presence going to around 1650s when Dutch explorer Abel Tasman's voyage into the southern hemisphere gave an account of it.
What is visible has a familiar name and you can probably go ahead and connect the dots further... Does the word "New Zealand" ring a bell??
Spanning around 4.9 million sq kms, this new continent called Zealandia was part of an ancient super continent called Gondwana land. With New Zealand there also other small places visible like New Caledonia, Bali Pyramid and more... The term Zealandia was coined by American geo physicist Bruce Luyendyk who used it to collectively mention about New Zealand, New Caledonia, Chatham Rise, Campbell plateau and the area around.
Such is the enormity of the unknowns present, it stands a question to the geologists for analyzing the whole area. Well, exploring the unknowns will be continued but how about welcoming the newest addition to the continent family.
Also, It is still said that the continents are still drifting away because of the tectonic shift that continues to happen because of the heat generated from radioactive process within the earth's interior. However there are reports that there could be a possible chance of the continents merging back together at the equator in around 250 million years dubbed as Pangea Ultima. It could be doomsday for all the species including us humans however we still have some time for that. Maybe we could have some other place for live (space travel anyone)
Coming back to Zealandia, It may be the smallest one( still larger than the whole Indian sub continent ), but it is still a continent. We should not discard it right like Pluto was discarded!! Ouch, Did I touch a spot there? Do you know though why Pluto is no longer considered a planet? Find out more below.
Why Pluto Is No Longer Considered A Planet Anymore!
Until next time, remember curiosity talks :)
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