Zealand, the latest in all planets, has very particular geological characteristics-and can even help us realize more about natural disasters. 8 years after being considered a continent, geologists have answered some questions.
We know little about the continent that only covers part of New Zealand and New Caledonia. 95% of its territory is submergedand Zealand only won the title of continent a few years ago in 2017. But we know some things. And this is something that now compiles a team of investigators, who answers some questions about this mysterious
“This is the most comprehensive review made to date on the geology of the Zealand continent, with 5 million square kilometers and 95% submerged,” said Nick Mortimer, GNS Science geologist and author of the now published in New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics.
“For most of the last 500 million years, Zealand was part of Southern Supercontinent, Gondwana. Then between 85 and 60 million years ago, he separated from Gondwana to become an independent continent. Since its maximum submersion point, about 25 million years ago, the movements of the tectonic plates have contributed to the increase of the northern and southern islands. ”
This continent is distinguished from others by having only small masses of earth surrounded by vast underwater continental platforms. This is why it is almost totally submerged.
The frequent occurrence of seismos and explosive volcanism in certain regions, explains, can help scientists understand more about natural phenomena, and is caused by the fact that it is crossed through the border between the tectonic plates of the Pacific and Australia.
“Despite the very valuable samples obtained through perforations and oceanic islands, it is Zealand that represents our largest source of material samples related to tectonic, oceanographic, climate and biological development of the Pacific Hemisphere“Said statographic teacher James Crampton.“ The Zealand Stratigraphic Archive records the history of ocean-climate systems that shape the planet and unique plants and animals- possession alive of Aotearoa ”.
“It is especially relevant that the strata of Zealand do document the causes and regional impacts on terrestrial system disturbances – True natural experiences that reveal the answers of life, oceans and climate to disturbances of different scales, causes and speeds. The geological register of Zealand is a critical piece global in the great puzzle of the terrestrial system. ”
