ZEALANDIA MAP

Zealandia, often referred to as Earth's hidden continent, is a largely submerged landmass located in the South Pacific. Spanning approximately 4.9 million square kilometers, it is about half the size of Australia. This unique continent includes New Zealand, New Caledonia, and several underwater geological formations such as the Lord Howe Rise, Norfolk Range, and Chatham Rise. Despite being 94% underwater, Zealandia meets all the criteria to be classified as a continent, including distinctive geology, a well-defined area, and a thicker crust compared to the ocean floor.

First recognized as a potential continent in the late 1990s, Zealandia gained significant attention when its full extent was mapped and studied in detail. Its formation dates back to the breakup of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana approximately 85 million years ago. Today, Zealandia offers valuable insight into Earth's geological history and continues to intrigue scientists and geologists around the world.