The Lost Continent

Real life Atlantis, yeah!

Since primary school we have been taught that Earth has seven continents, right? But what if I told you that all this time we have been wrong...

Recent studies claim that the Earth consists of eight continents, not seven. New Zealand scientists have started a true geographic revolution; in 2017, they found out that there is a hidden, underwater continent located underneath New Zealand called Zealandia. Little is known about Zealandia because it’s submerged about two-thirds of a mile under the sea. Zealandia sunk after breaking away from Australia about 80 million years ago, but 6% of the continent is still above the ocean’s surface - including New Zealand, New Caledonia and Norfolk Island. Believe it or not, Zealandia is actually beginning the process of rising again. It’s the tectonic plates and their activity that caused the sinking and are now uplifting the continent.

Now - what makes Zealandia a continent? The fact that the land is located mostly deep under the surface of the ocean does not change anything. Among the criteria that a given area must meet to be recognized as a continent is that there are supposed to be a right variety of rocks and clearly outlined boundaries, and these Zealandia clearly has. If everything goes as planned, in a couple of years you might find Zealandia in official atlases.