For decades, students all over the world have saved the same thing Geography Lesson: Seven ContinentsClearly divided by Oceans Panel’s limits. But new research outside Derby University This founding knowledge is called a question. According to a study published in Gundwana ResearchThe gap between Europe and north america It may be the least definition of textbooks that they refer to.
In the midst of this review theory Iceland, The volcanic island It has long been seen as a depth product Cloak Separate two tecton plates. But a research team led Dr. Jordan Vethin, Geological At Derby University, he argues that the presence of Iceland itself may indicate a previous continental separation, but it continues – one away from its completion.
A series of hills that have never been broken
Traditional models carry that Atlantic hillsIt intersects through Iceland, formed during the final Rift North America’s paintings and Eurasia about 52 million years ago. But Fithan and his team suggest that this rift has not yet completely cut the ground discussions that they drink. Instead, the panels seem to be drifting, while maintaining a geologic Contact that undermines the idea of two separate continents.
Their results focus on a formation called Greenland-Iceland Varo Ridge (GIFR)Which, according to the study, contains geological fragments of both tectonic panels. This guide challenges the assumption that Iceland is an isolated volcanic island. Instead, it is framing it as a bridge of a kind – one connecting Continental scales That has not been drifted yet.
“Iceland contains fragments from the missing continent that was flooded under the sea Volcanic lava flowsHis team described the formation a The transformed plateau of the peripheral magma (Rumb) To reflect its hybrid nature – part of the oceans, a continental part.
Similar to the oceans
To support their claims, researchers draw comparisons between Iceland and Distant area in East AfricaAnother volcanic area is located along a large crack. Similarities in the formation of dandruff and volcanic activity indicate that both regions may undergo similar tectonic operations. They claim that this parallel adds a weight to the idea that the North Atlantic Ocean is not a story that is ended, but a living example on Continental drift in progress.
PHETHEAN admits Controversy. He said: “It is controversial to suggest that GIFR contains a large amount of continental crust inside it and that European tectonic plates and North America may not have officially exploded.” However, it confirms that the results are based in detail Seismic analysis and Tectonic modeling.
Hidden
The study depends on the previous work by the Phythean team, including the discovery of a Proto-microcontrase Lying under Davis Straitbetween Canada and Greenland. Almost size EnglandThis buried ground mass is located off the coast Pavin IslandLike Iceland, it provides additional evidence that continental parts are still hidden under the oceanic cortex.
Fithan pointed out that “the events of rock formation and careful photography,” are ongoing phenomena. “They added that their understanding can improve our ability to predict the land. The geological future And the determination Resource The areas previously overlooked.
Reinstall the map
If the team’s conclusions are confirmed by conducting more tests-currently on the current time through the geochi analysis of the Icelandic rocks and the computer-based tectonic modeling-this means rethinking the standard The global map. Europe and North America, which were considered completely separate continents, may still be part of the same tectonic structure.
This would leave only six real continents on the ground, and The geographical model This is more dynamic than appears in the atlas of the school.
