A map of Zealandia was created. This is what the "lost continent" in the world looks like
"The lost continent", Zealandia, is no longer mysterious. Its area has for the first time been fully mapped. The extraordinary map not only allows us to understand what this underwater continent looks like. It also shows how it was formed.
Zealandia is the "youngest" continent in the world. Its status is recognized only for the past six years and it's often reduced to being referred to as a "microcontinent". Zealandia covers an area comparable to half of Europe, but it's incredibly hard to see and explore. It extends over an area of about 1,891,860 square miles, of which only 5% is occupied by New Zealand and the French islands of New Caledonia. The rest of the continent is under water.
The first map of Zealandia
Mapping Zealandia is therefore not simple, but worth the effort. A map created in 2019 of the southern region of the continent revealed that it is between 50 to 100 million years old. Around this time, Zealandia separated from Gondwana, stretching, twisting and breaking.
Further work allowed GNS Science researchers to also create a map of northern Zealandia. By studying the samples of underwater rocks from the areas between New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Australia, they completed the image of the whole continent.
Thus, the least known continent in the world can boast the most accurate map of its underwater areas. Submerged continental edges in the ocean have never been so important before. In the case of Zealandia, they are significant, even in terms of a accurate assessment of natural hazards in this part of the world.
Zealandia was born in fire
The map of Zealandia also gives an idea of how the continent separated from Gondwana. The mass of rock marked in yellow is made up of granites dated to 100 to 250 million years ago. It is a remnant of the supercontinent, but has become the skeleton of a new land. Its location confirms how Zealandia was stretched and twisted.
However, that's not all. The map also shows that the continent was formed in a sea of lava and fire.
The remaining lava rocks from this event are spread over an area of approximately 96,525 square miles. They are currently underwater, but their source was a gigantic volcanic region. It erupted along the border of Gondwanaland and a new continent 60 to 100 million years ago.
