In a breakthrough discovery, scientists from the University of Derby have identified a new microcontinent in the Davis Strait, bridging Baffin Bay with the Labrador Sea.
Revolutionize Understanding
According to Tech this finding promises to revolutionize our understanding of plate tectonics and their role in shaping Earth's dynamic surface.
Earth's surface is constantly in motion, composed of fluid-like mantles whose slow, imperceptible movements from a human perspective shape our landscapes.
These tectonic plates can either diverge, creating rifts, or converge at subduction zones where an oceanic plate slides beneath a continental plate, giving rise to mountain ranges or devastating earthquakes.
Formed 118 Million Years Ago
Located between Canada and Greenland, the Davis Strait is home to one such boundary, where scientists have now pinpointed the presence of a new microcontinent. Using gravitational and seismic data, researchers determined that this rift formed approximately 118 million years ago, during a critical period of Earth's geological evolution.
Described as a proto-microcontinent, this massive fragment of the Earth's crust measures between 19-24 km thick, enveloped by narrow bands of thin continental crust ranging from 15 to 17 km wide.
These bands separate the area from mainland Greenland and Baffin Island. The researchers have aptly named it the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent.
Dr. Jordan Phethean from the University of Derby underscores the significance of this geological anomaly: "Understanding how these microcontinents form is crucial for comprehending plate tectonics on Earth, with practical implications for mitigating tectonic hazards and exploring new resources."
