photo: pxhere.com
The most accurate map of the sunken continent of Zealand has been created , RIA Novosti reports, citing data from New Zealand scientists. Researchers say New Zealand is only a small part of the once vast continent known as Gondwanaland. It is assumed that about 80 million years ago this supercontinent split, and part of it was swallowed by the Pacific Ocean.
For many years, scientists worked to create a detailed map of the sunken continent, and thanks to expeditions and satellite images, this was achieved. In addition, researchers were able to determine the reasons for Gondwana's submersion.
Gondwana, a giant supercontinent, included Australia, Africa, South America and Antarctica. About 80 million years ago, the eastern part of it collapsed, causing Antarctica, Australia and Zealand to separate from it.
New Zealand scientist Nick Mortimer, who has dedicated his life to proving the existence of the seventh continent, claims to have successfully reconstructed the picture of Zealand and together with his colleagues, he completed the compilation of a detailed geological map, and also accurately determined the reasons for the destruction of the continent.
According to his research, Zealand finally separated from Antarctica about 20 million years ago. This was followed by a gradual thinning of the continent's crust, and then its sinking under water.