In 2017, geologists made a groundbreaking discovery of a continent that had been unnoticed for almost 375 years. This continent, known as Zealandia or Te Riu-a-Māui in the Māori language, covers 1.89 million square miles and was once part of the supercontinent Gondwana over 500 million years ago. The discovery serves as a reminder that sometimes the most obvious things can remain hidden for a long time.
The continent was first mentioned in 1642 by Dutch sailor Abel Tasman, who encountered the local Māori and learned about the landmass to the east. Despite its size and significance, Zealandia is sparsely populated, with only three territories on the entire continent. This unique aspect has intrigued researchers and sparked interest in further exploration of this newly uncovered landmass.
The separation of Zealandia from Gondwana is still a mystery to scientists, but it is an example of how the Earth’s geological processes can shape continents over time. The discovery sheds new light on Earth’s history and the dynamic nature of our planet’s geology. As researchers continue to study this newly uncovered landmass, we can expect to learn even more about our planet’s past and its ongoing evolution.
