Zealandia is the mystery of the past and the discovery of the present.
The origin of the Earth goes more than 4 billion years back. Since then, this planet has witnessed a bulk of climatic changes and space disasters. These occurrences result in constant geographical discoveries.
The earth that we live in today is primarily divided into land and water. The continent is actually a large mass of land, scattered with water bodies. You have already heard the popular names like Asia and Africa.
This article will ponder on the lesser-known and newly discovered 8th continent Zealandia. The fundamental motive of The UK Time is to provide you answers to frequently asked questions, enhancing your geographical knowledge.
What is Zealandia continent?
Zealandia is an underwater layer of a continent, dipped since its partition from a supercontinent. That supercontinent is known as Gondwana. It existed nearly 550 million years ago and the breaking up of Gondwana was initiated almost 180 million years back.
After eras of merging and breaking, it has its fragments today as leftovers. For instance, Africa, Australia, and Zealandia.
According to the latest research work, the assumptions of 8th continent Zealandia origin is going back to 1 billion years. In 1995, Bruce Luyendyk is the person who first introduced its name.
There are satellite images of this 8th continent, depicting the area as equal to Australia’s size. Moreover, the studies have invented new identities over time. For instance, it is sometimes called a micro-continent, a continental fragment as well as a submerged continent.
Although its total area is explicitly large, it is hence known as the largest micro-continent.
Some geologists suggest this land as a continent instead of a micro-continent. The reason lies in its density as well as crustal thickness.
The eighth continent Zealandia has another name as well, ‘Te Riu-a-Maui’. This is a term of Maori language, which means Maui’s hills, valleys, and plains. The word ‘Zealandia’ itself is a Latinate title.
Where is Zealandia?
Zealandia, the 8th continent, is the area of 4,900,000 square kilometers, at the southwest Pacific Ocean. It is separated from Australia and almost 94% submerged. The land area is a total of 286,655 square kilometers while the New Zealand landmass is 267,988 square kilometers.
The area that the latter encompasses is based on islands. Like, mainland, Solander Islands, Chatham Islands, Three Kings Islands, and New Zealand Subantarctic Islands.
In the surroundings, there are various islands, including New Caledonia. These islands compile to form an area of 18,576 square kilometers. Moreover, there are territories of Australia. For instance, Coral Sea Islands Territory, Norfolk Island, and Lord Howe Island Group.
Is Zealandia officially a continent?
No, but it does fulfill the requirements of a continent. More particularly, Zealandia, the 8th continent is a submerged one. In 2017, the opinions of a total number of 11 geologists resulted in this title.
These experts were from different locations like Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. The agenda was to identify this continent separate from the terms continental fragment and microcontinent.
Thus, the question is, is Zealandia a continent? It has a positive answer. Moreover, it might soon end up in school books as an official continent. In this case, Zealandia is the smallest continent in this world.
Moreover, if you Google, in which continent is New Zealand found? You get the answer Zealandia, instead of Oceania, from various websites.
Why Zealandia is a continent?
It has clear boundaries and the landmass is huge. Its continental crust is also thick. Perfectly differentiating from the ocean crust. There is an elevation of its crust. Hence, these factors define the eighth continent Zealandia.
GNS Science in New Zealand conducted a detailed study on this topic. The map was also uploaded on a website for the audience. This was the first time accurate geology images of Zealandia.
The research also encompassed the details of surrounding places. For example, depth of the ocean and tectonic profile. The conclusion revealed the formation of this mysterious continent. Additionally, the team compared the Zealandia and surrounding oceanic floor.
This concluded the elevation of the ridge and mountain as compared to the ocean. The map formed is also the beginning of a strategy. With the deadline of 2030, the mapping of the entire Earth’s ocean floor is the mission.
Mortimer, a researcher, claimed a reason called ocean level. He said that because of it, the declaration of Zealandia being a continent is delayed.
New Zealand, what continent is it part of?
The continent of New Zealand is Oceania. In case Zealandia is declared officially as a continent then the latter will become New Zealand’s continent.
Oceania has a total area of 8,525,989 square kilometers. With a population of more than 41 million, its area is the smallest in terms of a continent. Some of its countries are Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Micronesia, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga.
This Zealand’s continent ranks high in consideration of human life quality. The status of highly developed is because of successful financial economies like New Zealand and Australia.
There are also less developed economies in Oceania. For instance, Vanuata, Papua New Guinea, Indonesian New Guinea, and Kiribati.
Oceania has no doubt many islands, the types are basically four. There are uplifted coral platforms, coral reefs, continental islands, and high islands. The active volcanoes are usually found in the high islands, like the Solomon Islands and Hawaii.
Oceania’s four primary regions are Micronesia, Polynesia, Australasia, and Melanesia.
Why did Zealandia sink?
Parting from Gondwana, Zealandia, or the allegedly eighth continent of today, started merging with Laurasia. The two tectonic plates lied beneath initiated the disruption of the former supercontinent. This resulted in the separation from Antarctica and Australia.
Furthermore, Zealandia or the present day’s eighth continent began to sink.
These plates are still active, moving to alter the geology of underwater. Grabens and basins are some terminologies linked to these movements.
When one plate dives into the other one, the reaction is volcanic activity. The location where these plates compress each other forms an upward surface of a continent.
Moreover, there are several materials of Zealandia. For instance, granite, which is an igneous rock, skeletons of marine organisms, sedimentary rocks, and limestone. They are also known as the oldest rocks on this continent, almost 500 million years old.
Currently, geology experts are researching these rocks to build a connection with its previous land partner, Australia, and Antarctica.
The sedimentary rocks also prove the sinking of Zealandia. The evidence is observed in older rocks found under the layer of these sedimentary rocks. Some other signs include volcanic rocks and the regions above water.
As discussed above, the supercontinent that formed because of Zealandia’s merging with Laurasia is called Pangaea. Its origin is 335 million years ago. This existence was during two eras, Mesozoic and Paleozoic. At that time, its location on the Earth was centered on the Equator.
The name ‘Pangea’ was first utilized in 1920. It entered the English scientific literature in 1926. The indication of Pangea’s existence lies in the geography of continents neighboring the Atlantic Ocean.
There is also proof of the geological similarities between Africa’s western coast and South America’s eastern coast. The fossils also verify the hypothesis. They are of similar species in now separated continents.
For instance, there are fossils of therapsid Lystrosaurus found in India, Antarctica, and South Africa.
Will New Zealand be underwater?
With rising sea levels, there is a prediction of sinking. According to Climate Central, an independent research group, many towns, and cities of New Zealand will sink in just 30 years.
This research in 2019 formed a map demonstrating the sea rise levels and land elevations. Numerous well-known names of New Zealand landmass popped up. For instance, Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter and areas of Parnell.
Also, Dunedin Airport is in danger. There are chances of flooding in nearby areas like Momona and Henley. Parts of Matakana Island will also vanish.
A big piece of land near the Thames is at high alert. That area lies between Paeroa and Waitakaruru. Moreover, once the Manawatu River elevates, Foxton will disappear.
Such disasters can result in climate refugees if not controlled by the government. The study reveals that the rising will continue for a longer period of time from decades to hundreds of years.
What is the 8th continent?
Zealandia is the 8th continent. It is a hidden continent because of its submerged quality. It has the tendency to replace Oceania as New Zealand’s continent. As already mentioned, the evidence lies in the comparison of New Zealand and its surrounding ocean floor.
The lately reported New Zealand’s continent Zealandia’s continental shelves lie under sea level. The depth is nearly one kilometer. On the other hand, the surrounding crust of the ocean is almost three kilometers below that.
Some scientists also illustrate a thin strip that keeps the continent of Australia separate from Zealandia. That strip is actually of the oceanic crust.
Are New Caledonia and Zealandia the same?
No, they are not. New Caledonia is on the Southwest side of the Pacific Ocean, known as a French territory. It has a total area of 18,576 square kilometers with 1.6 percent water.
According to its history, there are human traces found back to 1600 BC. At that time, there was an influence of Lapita culture in the surrounding areas.
Zealandia, on the other hand, is a submerged continent. It has a large population of New Zealand, approximately 5,112,300.
Where to find the images of Zealandia?
Just search images of Zealandia via Google search engine. You can even find the latest maps. These maps also portray the clear boundary of this lost continent. Websites like Livescience.com are helpful in showing its bathymetric and tectonic map.
Bathymetric maps demonstrate the floors of water bodies or more specifically the land which lies underwater. These bodies encompass, lakes, rivers, and even oceans. The contour lines and colors assist in visually differentiating the features.
In the bathymetric map of Zealandia, the new continent discovered, you can find sea levels with measurement units. Moreover, you can see an oceanic large igneous province.
The tectonic map of Zealandia, the new continent discovered, will display the structure of its crust. Usually, the focus is on the primary phases of crust development.
Is Zealandia bigger than Australia?
No, it is not. Zealandia is only nearly half the size of Australia. The latter is not even a part of Zealandia.
Australia comprises the island of Tasmania, the mainland of the Australian continent, and many small islands. This is the Earth’s 6th largest country, being the largest in the Oceania continent.
With an area of 7,617,930 square kilometers, it has a whopping population of almost 26 million. It was previously named New Holland, in the 17th century.
Additionally, this populated continent is the driest, flattest, and oldest one. The inhabitants enjoy a diverse range of climates and landscapes. For example, mountain ranges, rainforests, and deserts.
Did dinosaurs live in Zealandia?
According to the research of fossil hunters, dinosaurs did roam Zealandia or New Zealand. The expected time is 80 million years ago. In 1999, in a stream bed of Hawke’s Bay, a vertebra bone was discovered.
It is known to be a large dinosaur and is now evidence of its existence. These dinosaurs are called Titanosaurids. They were widespread in southern continents encompassing Australia.
What is the future of Zealandia?
New Zealandia is the treasure hunting place for geologists. For its rich historic linkage, this discovery can lead to many future discoveries. It is a rather new place that depicts the secret of mineral deposits and biological populations.
New Zealandia can also help to understand the landforms on other planets. Furthermore, natural resources are beneficial to corporations especially the international government. Digging up can result in new discoveries, advantageous for trade.
