A submerged eighth continent discovered on the ocean floor after 85 million years

By MOOK Scenic Spots Home Jun(e), compiled and reported

Future geography textbooks may be rewritten as a result. The latest research reveals the existence of an unknown new continent beneath the seas southeast of Australia and centered around New Zealand. Scientists have tentatively named this continent Zealandia. This continental landmass sank into the sea approximately 65 to 85 million years ago, with about 94% of it submerged. It covers a total area of 4.92 million square kilometers—equivalent to 136 Taiwans. Currently, no scientific organization is specifically responsible for certifying continents, but with sufficient evidence, the recognition of this new continent is only a matter of time. Once confirmed, it will become the world’s eighth continent and also the smallest one.

The rich mountain and valley landscapes are among New Zealand’s geographical features, but few realize these are merely the visible peaks of a mysterious continent—the rest of which lies submerged underwater. In natural science, even large and prominent things can be overlooked, and Zealandia is the perfect example.

With significant advancements in undersea mapping technology, researchers are now more certain that Zealandia meets the criteria to be classified as a continent. Once officially recognized, New Zealand will no longer just be a small island, but part of the world’s eighth continent.