New Zealand sits atop a previously unknown continent – mostly submerged beneath the South Pacific – that should be recognised with the name Zealandia, scientists have said.
Researchers said Zealandia was a distinct geological entity and met all the criteria applied to Earth’s seven other continents – elevation above the surrounding area, distinctive geology, a well-defined area and a crust much thicker than that found on the ocean floor.
In a paper published in the Geological Society of America’s Journal, GSA Today, they said Zealandia measured 1.9 million square miles and was 94% underwater.
The paper’s authors said it had only three major landmasses, New Zealand’s North and South Islands to the south, and New Caledonia to the north.
Read more at:http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/17/new-continent-discovered-under-new-zealand-6453822/
