The speaker discusses the discovery of a new continent, Zealandia, which is submerged beneath New Zealand. The continent is estimated to be larger than the Indian subcontinent and was found to have a composition of granite rocks, similar to other continents. The speaker suggests that New Zealand's government may have had a vested interest in the discovery, as it could potentially increase their control over natural resources and minerals.
The continent was discovered through satellite mapping, which was only recently completed in 2017. The speaker explains that the continent was likely formed around 200 million years ago when the supercontinent Pangaea split into two new continents, Laurasia and Gondwana.
The speaker also discusses the history of the discovery of Zealandia, which dates back to the 17th century when explorers were searching for a hypothetical landmass called Terra Australis. The continent was eventually mapped by James Cook in the 18th century, but it was not recognized as a separate continent until recently.
The speaker notes that the definition of a continent is not clear-cut and that Zealandia's status as a continent is still a topic of debate. However, based on its composition, elevation, size, and tectonic plate, it meets the criteria for a continent.
The speaker concludes by suggesting that the discovery of Zealandia and other submerged continents may require a re-evaluation of the definition of a continent and may lead to the creation of new categories or terms to describe these anomalies.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. On 26th September 2023, the journal Tectonic claimed that a continent named Zealandia is submerged beneath New Zealand.
2. Zealandia is larger than the Indian subcontinent, which includes India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
3. In 1982, the United Nations passed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, allowing countries to control resources within 400 km of their coastline.
4. New Zealand could potentially control six times more resources if Zealandia is confirmed as a continent.
5. The New Zealand government called international geologists to study Zealandia in 2023.
6. Researchers found that the composition of rocks beneath New Zealand matches that of a continent, not an oceanic bed.
7. The bottom of the ocean is mostly made of volcanic basalt rocks, while continents are mainly made of granite rocks.
8. Zealandia is made of granite rocks, suggesting it could be a continent.
9. Zealandia could have been part of the Pangaea supercontinent at some point.
10. In 2017, satellite mapping of Zealandia began, and the final results confirmed its existence on 12th September 2023.
11. Zealandia sank into the water about 50-35 million years ago due to tectonic activities.
12. The continent's existence was first proposed in the 17th century as Terra Australis, a hypothetical landmass in the southern hemisphere.
13. Dutch explorers Willem Janszoon and Abel Tasman were sent to find Terra Australis in 1606.
14. Tasman discovered Australia and Zealandia but did not map Zealandia due to an attack by the local Maori tribe.
15. James Cook mapped New Zealand in 1769, but the British Empire did not know about the submerged continent.
16. Zealandia meets four criteria to be considered a continent: composition, elevation, size, and its own tectonic plate.
17. Zealandia is approximately 4.9 million square kilometers in size, similar to the Australian continent.
18. Zealandia has its own separate tectonic plate, the Zealandia Plate or Teriu Amaui Plate.
19. The definition of a continent can be blurred, and Zealandia's submerged status challenges common perceptions.