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Zealandia

All articles tagged with #zealandia

Zealandia Declared: Earth's Hidden Eighth Continent Unveiled Beneath the Pacific
science21 days ago

Zealandia Declared: Earth's Hidden Eighth Continent Unveiled Beneath the Pacific

Scientists have formally recognized Zealandia as Earth's eighth continent—spanning about five million square kilometers with more than 94% submerged in the Pacific—after International Ocean Discovery Program drilling and peer‑reviewed studies showing it meets continental criteria (thicker crust, coherent landmass, and ancient terrestrial fossils). This confirmation reshapes our understanding of Earth’s crust and could influence future maritime claims and exploration.

Discovery of Earth's Hidden Eighth Continent
science1 year ago

Discovery of Earth's Hidden Eighth Continent

Geologists have completed mapping Zealandia, a submerged landmass considered Earth's eighth continent, covering nearly two million square miles. The research involved analyzing rock samples from North Zealandia, revealing its geological history tied to the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Despite being mostly underwater, Zealandia's mapping highlights its significance as a geological entity.

"Long-lost Continent Found: Scientists' 375-Year Discovery"
sciencegeology1 year ago

"Long-lost Continent Found: Scientists' 375-Year Discovery"

After 375 years, scientists have officially discovered the missing continent of Zealandia, which was once part of an ancient supercontinent. Initially theorized in Roman times and partially discovered in the 1600s, the continent is mostly underwater and roughly 1.89 million square miles in size. Zealandia, also known as Te Riu-a-Māui in the Māori dialect, had been hiding in plain sight and was part of the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana over 500 million years ago. Geologists from GNS Science made the discovery in 2017, shedding light on the continent's separation from the supercontinent and its submersion beneath the waves.

"Zealandia: Earth's First Fully Mapped Continent"
science2 years ago

"Zealandia: Earth's First Fully Mapped Continent"

Geologists have discovered the submerged continent of Zealandia, twice the size of India, beneath the southwest Pacific Ocean. A new geological map has been compiled using rock samples and geophysical mapping methods, revealing large sandstone formations and basaltic rock pebbles that suggest Zealandia was gradually flooded around 40 million years ago. The study, "Reconnaissance basement geology and tectonics of North Zealandia," was published in the journal Tectonics in 2023.

"Zealandia: Earth's First Fully Mapped Continent"
geographyscience2 years ago

"Zealandia: Earth's First Fully Mapped Continent"

Zealandia, the largely submerged continent near New Zealand, has been completely mapped by a team of geologists using rock samples and geophysical mapping methods. The continent, twice the size of India, was likely flooded around 40 million years ago. The mapping revealed large sandstone formations and basaltic rock pebbles, providing insights into Zealandia's geological history. This discovery sheds light on a previously unknown part of Earth's geography and geological evolution.

"Unveiling Ancient Secrets: Zealandia, Earth's Newly Mapped Continent"
science2 years ago

"Unveiling Ancient Secrets: Zealandia, Earth's Newly Mapped Continent"

Zealandia, Earth's eighth continent, has been completely mapped for the first time, revealing ancient secrets such as a giant volcanic region that ignited when the continent broke off from Gondwana, and a 4000-kilometer-long granite backbone. The mapping, conducted by an international team of scientists, provides a comprehensive understanding of Zealandia's geological history and paves the way for further exploration and discovery.

"Mapping the Lost Continent: Zealandia Revealed"
science2 years ago

"Mapping the Lost Continent: Zealandia Revealed"

Scientists have completed the first comprehensive mapping of Zealandia, a submerged continent in the South Pacific that was once part of a supercontinent 300 million years ago. By analyzing rock samples and magnetic maps, researchers have outlined the extent of Zealandia, which spans 1.9 million square miles and connects Antarctica and Australia. The study sheds light on how Zealandia formed and split from nearby landmasses, providing insights into Earth's continental evolution over vast timescales.

"Rediscovery of a Vanished Continent After Centuries in Hiding"
science-and-environment2 years ago

"Rediscovery of a Vanished Continent After Centuries in Hiding"

Scientists have confirmed the existence of Zealandia, a long-lost continent over a billion years old, located beneath New Zealand's South and Stewart Islands. Geologist Rose Turnbull and her team identified ancient zircon crystals in rock samples, leading to the discovery of continental crust fragments as old as 2.7 billion years. This research, published in the Geology journal, adds Zealandia as the youngest sibling among Earth's continents, with its crust not as old as those on other continents, which date back more than three billion years.

Lost Continent Rediscovered After 375 Years
science2 years ago

Lost Continent Rediscovered After 375 Years

Geoscientists have discovered Zealandia, a continent that had been hidden for 375 years. Zealandia, also known as Te Riu-a-Māui, is approximately 1.89 million square miles in size and was part of the supercontinent Gondwana. It was first mentioned in 1642 by Dutch sailor Abel Tasman, but its existence was confirmed in 2017. Most of Zealandia is underwater, and it has only three territories. The discovery of Zealandia serves as an example of how something "very obvious" can take a long time to uncover.

"Lost Continent Found: Scientists Uncover 375-Year Mystery"
science2 years ago

"Lost Continent Found: Scientists Uncover 375-Year Mystery"

Geoscientists have discovered Zealandia, a continent that had been hidden for 375 years. Zealandia, also known as Te Riu-a-Māui, is approximately 1.89 million square miles in size and was part of the supercontinent Gondwana. It was first mentioned in 1642 by Dutch sailor Abel Tasman, but its existence was confirmed in 2017. Most of Zealandia is underwater, and it has only three territories. The discovery of Zealandia serves as an example of how something "very obvious" can take a long time to uncover.

"Zealandia: The Long-Lost Eighth Continent Rediscovered After Centuries"
science2 years ago

"Zealandia: The Long-Lost Eighth Continent Rediscovered After Centuries"

Geoscientists have discovered Zealandia, a continent that had been hidden for 375 years. Zealandia, also known as Te Riu-a-Māui, is approximately 1.89 million square miles in size and was part of the supercontinent Gondwana. It was first mentioned in 1642 by Dutch sailor Abel Tasman, but its existence was confirmed in 2017. Most of Zealandia is underwater, and it has only three territories. The discovery of Zealandia serves as an example of how something "very obvious" can take a long time to uncover.

"Unraveling the Intricacies of False Memories and the Mysteries of Swallowed Seas"
science2 years ago

"Unraveling the Intricacies of False Memories and the Mysteries of Swallowed Seas"

This week in science news, researchers discovered a hidden reservoir of water beneath the Pacific Ocean floor, identified the brain's ability to distinguish between real and false memories, and mapped the continent of Zealandia. Additionally, neanderthal DNA was found to be linked to increased pain sensitivity, NASA revealed the Bennu asteroid sample return mission, and a stunning image of a golden horseshoe crab won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.