Scientists uncover world's 8th continent 'Zealandia' hidden for 375 years, release new map

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have revealed Zealandia, a continent that once belonged to the ancient Gondwana land. Zealandia, also known as Te Riu-a-Māui in the Māori language, is mostly submerged, with only 6% above sea level, comprising New Zealand and nearby islands.

Initially sought by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642, Zealandia eluded detection until 2017 when geologists, using data from ocean floor rock samples, confirmed its existence.

An international team of geologists and seismologists recently published a detailed map of Zealandia in the journal 'Tectonics.' 

Spanning 1.89 million square miles, approximately six times the size of Madagascar, Zealandia now stands as the world's smallest, thinnest, and youngest continent. The discovery underscores the challenge of uncovering hidden marvels, as geologist Andy Tulloch notes, "This is an example of how something very obvious can take a while to uncover."

Zealandia's submerged nature has made it a complex subject of study. Scientists analyze rocks and sediment samples, mainly from ocean drilling sites and island shores. Recent findings in Phys.org indicate geological patterns in West Antarctica, hinting at a subduction zone near the Campbell Plateau off New Zealand's west coast. The absence of magnetic anomalies disputes theories surrounding a strike-slip in the Campbell Fault.

The refined map not only pinpoints Zealandia's magmatic arc axis but also highlights other significant geological features. As researchers delve into this newfound continent, Zealandia emerges as a remarkable addition to Earth's continents, challenging our understanding of the planet's history and geological processes.