'Not 7, but 8!': Scientists uncover a hidden continent beneath icy Atlantic waters

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

Hidden Continent

[{"selector":"#anim-8492cda2-69ac-4697-9873-0e64f5802889 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.540872329418654%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Beneath the icy waters of the North Atlantic lies a newly discovered microcontinent , the Davis Strait.

Crust Secrets

[{"selector":"#anim-b5a81263-f9bc-4c9c-9f02-217ab68bda64 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.44902434647447%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] This ancient landmass formed 33–61 million years ago, now stretching 12–15 miles long. Representative pic

Geologic Shift

Tectonic plate movements between Greenland and Canada created this thick continental crust. Representative pic

Study Findings

[{"selector":"#anim-7d3b4b67-3f00-4fac-89cb-ec40ec9edeb8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(9.876623404362853%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The discovery, published in Gondwana Research, sheds light on Earth’s complex past. Representative pic

Proto-Microcontinent

[{"selector":"#anim-1d5008c7-9756-442a-8ff1-666d3786b1d6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(29.716705459782737%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Named the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent , it lies off Greenland’s western waters.

Global Insight

[{"selector":"#anim-377d435b-1b77-4373-9390-6fb3a8af240e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(41.92393897968168%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Researchers believe the mechanism behind this microcontinent applies to others worldwide. Representative pic

Plate Movements

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Deeper Questions

[{"selector":"#anim-afe56891-0191-4d7d-987b-e17c9c5a15c4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-18.18181801115678%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Scientists urge further research into microcontinents to refine our understanding of geology. Representative pic

Puzzle Piece

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