Scientists have recently made a remarkable discovery. They have found a missing continent that had eluded detection for 375 years. Despite the many years humans have inhabited Earth, these new discoveries are great achievement for science. One of the most significant recent discoveries is the identification of an elusive eighth continent, previously part of an ancient supercontinent known as the ‘great Southern Continent’.
This vast landmass covers an area of 1.9 million square miles, almost equivalent in size to Australia. Zealandia has been a part of our planet since ancient times, yet it received limited attention until recent scientific discoveries shed light on its existence. Research indicates that Zealandia is approximately 100 million years old.
The first recorded mention of Zealandia dates back to 375 years ago when a Dutch sailor made reference to this land. It was not until 2017 that geologists officially confirmed the existence of Zealandia. Covering an area of approximately 1.9 million square kilometers on the ocean floor, mapping this concealed continent proved to be a formidable challenge for scientists.
Zealandia’s submerged nature had kept it hidden from public knowledge and made mapping its terrain a complex undertaking. Beneath the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand boasts mountains and volcanoes that are part of Zealandia. Geologists dedicated over two decades to compile a comprehensive map of this submerged continent. Presently, scientists are actively engaged in uncovering the complete history of Zealandia.
The initial discovery traces back to 1642 when Dutch sailor Abel Tasman embarked on a voyage to find the elusive continent known as Terra Australis. Tasman’s exploration was met with resistance from the local Māori people of New Zealand, and he failed to find the continent, although his journey marked the first recorded information about it.
The discovery of Zealandia illustrates how something apparent can remain undiscovered for a long time, according to Andy Tulloch, one of the geologists involved in the discovery. The identification of Zealandia marks a significant milestone in geological exploration and provides new insights into the Earth’s history and evolution.
