A Hidden Microcontinent Beneath the Arctic Sea

Discovery of a Primitive Microcontinent

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a primitive microcontinent hidden beneath the Arctic Sea between Canada and Greenland. This discovery, made by a team of researchers from the University of Derby in the UK, could provide valuable insights into the geological evolution of our planet.

Tectonic Plate Formation

The presence of a microcontinent beneath the Arctic Sea suggests that the shifting that occurred some 33 to 61 million years ago may have created a thick continental crust beneath. This discovery could help scientists understand how tectonic plates, the giant slabs of rock that form the Earth's surface, are created and evolve.

Hidden Location

The newly discovered microcontinent, located on a tectonic plate boundary between Canada and Greenland, is not visible from the surface. However, scientists have used advanced seismic imaging techniques to map its presence beneath the sea floor. The microcontinent is about the size of the island of Madagascar and is thought to be composed of ancient rocks that formed over billions of years.

Failed Continent

The scientists believe that this microcontinent was once part of a larger continent that began to break up millions of years ago. However, it failed to fully separate from its neighboring landmasses and instead became submerged beneath the Arctic Sea. This discovery provides evidence for the complex and dynamic nature of the Earth's geological processes throughout its history.