Around 200 million age ago , Earth ’s last supercontinent Pangea get to get out apart , with home tectonics lento moving the continents into the world we realise today . Plate plate tectonic theory is by no means done , and there are several intimate models as to how our succeeding world will calculate like .
Plate tectonics were only discovered comparatively recently . Though German meteorologist Alfred Wegner first nominate continental gallery in 1912 – and theorize that the continent were once connect in a supercontinenthe named Pangea – it claim until the sixties and new tech such as echo sounders and gaussmeter before scientists meditate sea ridges could explain the processes behind the movement of the incrustation .
Since then , scientists have put together model of plate tectonics , incorporating new data ( and the occasionalnew continent ) , and even attempted to mock up what the Earth may face like in our geological future .
One such team – looking at how tide are affect by the movement of tectonic plates – produced such a model showing a possible supercontinent in Earth ’s future .
The simulation is by no means the last word on the matter , with other team creating their own model of how the continents will move establish on new information , and/or well understanding of mental process as we learn more .
These models are generally not about find the material body of Earth ’s future Continent , as interesting as it is to see , but tell us about Earth now .
“ It probably does n’t imply anything to humans now in our lifetime , ” oceanographer Mattias Green from Bangor University ’s School of Ocean Sciences in Menai Bridge , UK , and lead author of the study explained in astatementin 2016 . “ But it does enhance our apprehension of interaction between plate tectonics , Earth ’s climate organization , its oceans , and even how the evolution of life is , at least to some extent , drive by this tidal outgrowth . ”
For their part , the model provided grounds that Earth is currently going through a flow of particularly strong tidal vim , which will last for about 20 million years . As the next supercontinent forms , the sea basins will form one monolithic body of water . This trunk of water will have low tidal energy , leave to smaller waving and less nutrient mix . As a result , the ocean floor will in all probability become atomic number 8 - deprive , and devoid of life , which breastfeed the merriment out of the cool vivification somewhat .
