A new world! Geological studies indicate that in 250 million years, the current continents will come together to form a new supercontinent, possibly called Pangea Proxima.
Imagine a world where continents, now separated by vast oceans, slowly move closer together until they merge into a single, colossal landmass. It sounds like a scene straight out of a science fiction movie, but this is actually the scientific projection for the distant future of our planet.
According to the study conducted by the paleogeographer Christopher Scotese, in about 250 million years, the Earth could be home to a new supercontinent, a natural stage in the incessant cycle of separation and fusion of tectonic plates.
We will look at the scientific basis for this fascinating transformation, the possible scenarios for the next supercontinent and why these changes, although distant, are so important for understanding the past and future of our world.
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The tectonic dance that transforms the Earth
The Earth's crust is not a continuous solid surface. It is composed of tectonic plates, which move slowly over the planet's viscous mantle.
These movements, practically imperceptible in human life, are responsible for earthquakes, volcanoes and the formation of mountains, in addition to the constant drift of continents.
About 335 million years ago, tectonic plates converged to form Pangea, the most famous supercontinent, which dominated the planet before fragmenting and giving rise to the continents we know today.
But Pangea was just a chapter in this story. Before it, there were other supercontinents, such as Rodinia, which formed about a billion years ago, and Columbia, even older, dating back approximately 1,5 billion years.
The cycle of supercontinent formation and dispersal is an inevitable but extremely slow process.
Every few hundred million years, continents move, meet, come together, and then separate again. This tectonic dance shapes not only the geography of the Earth, but also the Terra, but also the climate, the oceans and even life on the planet.
Scenarios for the next supercontinent
With the accumulated knowledge about tectonic movements and continental drift patterns, scientists have already begun to outline possible scenarios for the next supercontinent.
Although there are uncertainties – after all, we are talking about a future that is hundreds of millions of years away – some hypotheses stand out:
Novopangea: In this scenario, the continents move towards the Pacific Ocean, closing it completely. This possibility is based on the fact that the Pacific is slowly shrinking due to the movement of the plates that surround it.
Aurica: Here, the Atlantic Ocean would also close, but in a different way. India would become the center point of a new landmass that would gather the continents around it.
Amasia: An intriguing possibility, in which North America and Asia would merge at the North Pole, creating an Arctic supercontinent.
Pangaea Proxima: Perhaps the most widely accepted model, this scenario suggests that the Atlantic Ocean will gradually close, bringing together Africa, the Americas, Eurasia, Australia and Antarctica into a single gigantic landmass.
These scenarios are based on mathematical projections, geological modeling, and seismic data. While we don’t know for sure which one will be the final outcome, each illustrates the dynamic power of plate tectonics.
The detailed view of Pangea Proxima
Among the possibilities presented, Pangea Proxima stands out as the most detailed and plausible projection for the geological future of the Earth.
According to this hypothesis, the Atlantic Ocean will close, while the current continents will converge in a slow but inevitable movement.
South America will join Africa, recreating the connection that existed during the Pangaea era. North America and Europe will also move towards Asia, while Australia will move north, colliding with Southeast Asia. Antarctica, currently isolated at the South Pole, will be incorporated into the main continental mass.
This view is based on the work of paleogeographer Christopher Scotese, who uses seismic data, plate movement patterns and sophisticated geological models to predict how continents will reorganize.
The changes, although slow, will result in radically different landscapes and political configurations than we know today.
What will Brazil look like in the world?
Another point highlighted by the study is the predicted position of Brazil in 250 million years. Rio de Janeiro, which is currently bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, will now border Antarctica.
Furthermore, Brazil will have borders with countries such as South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar.
Why does studying supercontinents matter?
While the concept of a future supercontinent may seem purely speculative, it has profound implications for science. Understanding how supercontinents form and break up helps decipher Earth’s geological history, providing insights into climate, oceans and the evolution of life.
Supercontinents play a crucial role in regulating the global climate. When giant landmasses come together, wind patterns and ocean currents change dramatically. These events can lead to periods of global cooling, prolonged droughts or even mass extinctions.
During the Pangea era, for example, much of the supercontinent's interior was arid and inhospitable, which limited biodiversity.
Furthermore, studying these tectonic cycles allows scientists to better understand today’s environmental challenges. Although plate shifts are extremely slow, they highlight the fragility of our planet’s equilibrium.
More far-fetched than this bizarre map is the assumption that nations would continue to be the same 250 million years from now… lol
I've already seen a huge amount of money for 200 million years!!
Parlé de choses proche 10 année ok
That's great. I'll be able to drive to China to buy trinkets. 🙂