Lost continent that is ‘only 5% visible’ today is mapped – and scientists say it was created by ‘flood of fire’ event

GEOSCIENTISTS have for the first time mapped out a sunken continent called Zealandia.

Also known as Te Riu-a-Māui in Māori, Zealandia was first recognized as a continent in 2017.

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The lost continent appears to have broken away from Australia around 80 million years ago.

It measures around 1,900,000 square miles and is situated between New Zealand and the French islands of New Caledonia.

Now, in a world-first, the sunken continent has been mapped out by scientists who understand its formation better than ever before.

The map includes details of rock composition, volcanic activity, and sedimentary features.

This is rather remarked considering only around 5 percent of the continent is visible to scientists.

However, it was possible by studying rock samples collected from the seabed near New Caledonia.

Researchers published their findings on September 12 in the journal Tectonics. 

In the study, scientists posit that the massive land mass broke off from the supercontinent Gondwana.

Considered an ancient continent, Gondwana incorporated present-day South America, Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, India, Australia, and Antarctica.

Scientists theorize that the breaking-off of Zealandia happened in part due to volcanic activity.

“Molten magma flooded out of cracks and fissures as the continent stretched and thinned like pizza dough,” geologist Nick Mortimer from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS Science), said in a statement.

“Until now, the role of magma in the Gondwana breakup has been underestimated,” Wanda Stratford a marine geophysicist at GNS Science, added, per Live Science.

The new map could help to shed light on New Zealand’s resources, wildlife, and natural hazards.

Before it fell victim to the sea, Zealandia itself was home to many interesting creatures that are extinct today.

Thanks to archaeologists, a set of well-preserved 3million-year-old fossils were found, one report from Business insider said.

These are thought to have belonged to ancient birds that are likely the ancestors of modern-day penguins.

Another animal that may have existed in Zealandia is the Saint Bathans mammal, according to one study.

The ancient animal is notable for being a late-surviving “archaic” mammal species.

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk