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ZME Science

Scientists Retrace Geological History of Zealandia, Earth’s Eighth Continent

ZME Science
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90% Informative

Zealandia was confirmed as Earth ’s eighth continent seven years ago .

It stretches from New Zealand to New Caledonia , 95% of it underwater.

Researchers have mapped and mapped all 25 major offshore sedimentary basins around New Zealand .

The work is part of a much larger, likely decades -long project to unravel Zealandia ’s geologic history.

The Taranaki , Raukumara , East Coast , and Pegasus Basins are the deepest.

Knowing the depth to the harder basement rocks beneath will be crucial for future work.

Inorganic sediments found in the cores helped to ground truth these interpretations.

“They’re like little ancient compasses,” said Bland .