A New Continent is "Emerging" on Earth

New continent is forming in the Indian Ocean: sensational discovery by scientists from Australia and France. Researchers have discovered active formation of continental crust near Antarctica, which may lead to the emergence of a new landmass. The results of the study, published in the scientific journal Terra Nova, indicate large-scale geological processes in the southern part of the Indian Ocean.

The analysis of rocks conducted by scientists revealed a unique crust structure in this region, significantly different from typical oceanic crust. The speed of new land formation is striking: an average of about 0.001 cubic kilometers annually, and in some areas this figure reaches an impressive 0.8 cubic kilometers. These geological changes are observed in subduction zones — areas where an oceanic plate descends beneath a continental one, causing rock melting and magma formation, which is a fundamental stage in the birth of new continents.

According to researchers' calculations, the process of new crust formation began approximately 7-12 million years ago. If current rates continue, a full-fledged continent may form over a similar time period. A key indicator of this process has been the significant accumulation of granite layer — the main component of continental crust.

This amazing discovery clearly demonstrates that geological processes on our planet do not cease even in the most remote and seemingly unchanging regions of Earth.