Scientists made a sensational discovery in the Pacific Ocean

A group of scientists made an amazing discovery - a whole continent called Zealandia lies hidden beneath the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The research confirming this fact was published in the prestigious scientific journal GSA.

Zealandia is not just a collection of underwater elevations and islands. Scientists claim that it is a single continent covering an area of 4.9 million square kilometers, which is approximately half the size of Europe (about 10 million square kilometers).

Notably, 94% of Zealandia is underwater. In this respect, it is similar to West Antarctica, which would also be submerged if it weren't for its ice cover.

According to researchers, millions of years ago, Zealandia was part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, occupying about 5% of its area. Gondwana existed in the southern hemisphere about 550-180 million years ago and included modern-day Africa, South America, Australia, Antarctica, Arabia, and the Indian subcontinent.

The discovery and visualization of Zealandia was aided by bathymetric maps created from satellite gravity data. Scientists note that if Earth's relief was mapped as thoroughly as Mars and Venus, Zealandia would have long been recognized as a full-fledged continent.