'The end of Australia': Scientists warn a massive crash with Asia is inevitable
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
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Drifting Continent
Australia isn’t staying put—it’s moving 2.8 inches per year toward Asia, the same rate as our fingernails grow, setting up an inevitable continental collision in the far future.
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Collision Course
Professor Zheng-Xiang Li of Curtin University warns that Australia will crash into Asia in hundreds of millions of years, reshaping geography and triggering massive seismic shifts.
Tectonic Cycle
Continents have a breakup and reunion cycle spanning millions of years. Just as Australia once split from Antarctica, it will eventually merge with Asia, rewriting Earth’s map.
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Earthquake Threat
As Australia moves north, seismic activity increases, meaning stronger and more frequent earthquakes could become a reality, shaking up life Down Under.
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Reef Origins
Past tectonic shifts helped form the Great Barrier Reef when Australia drifted into tropical waters—future shifts may reshape landscapes in ways we can’t yet predict.
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Wildlife Battle
Kangaroos, koalas, and wombats may face off against Asian species in a survival showdown. Some may adapt, while others could vanish forever due to competition.
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GPS Glitch
Australia’s drift caused a 1.5-meter GPS error in 2016, forcing experts to adjust official coordinates. Future shifts may disrupt navigation, aviation, and satellites.
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Tech Chaos
As self-driving cars, drones, and precise mapping tech evolve, even small GPS errors from Australia’s movement could cause major disruptions in global positioning systems.
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Slow But Certain
While no one alive today will see Australia collide with Asia, the tiny shifts are already causing real-world problems—from GPS recalibrations to seismic risks.
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