Scientists drill into earth’s hidden 8th continent

A team of scientists have set out on an underwater expedition using an advanced research vessel, to drill into earth’s hidden 8th continent known as Zealandia– a landmass largely submerged beneath the Pacific Ocean.

By drilling into the ocean floor some 1,219 metres (4,000 feet) below the surface, they were able to collect 2,438 metres (8,000 feet) of sediment cores that will give us a glimpse into geological processes that have taken place over the last 70 million years.

More than thirty scientists from twelve different countries were present on the two-month excursion.

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“The cores acted as time machines, allowing us to reach further and further back in time, first seeing the ancient underwater avalanches then evidence of rocks forged from a fiery origin,” wrote Stephen Pekar, one of the scientists who took part in the study, in a blog post.

“One could imagine somewhere near by on Zealandia laid mountains that belched fiery rocks and rolling smoke.”

It’s thought that Zealandia broke off from Australia between 60 and 85 millions years ago, forming New Zealand and other islands in the region. However, there’s still some debate as to whether or not it could be classified as a continent in its own right.

 

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