NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — Geologists from the Netherlands have made a remarkable discovery that sheds new light on the Earth‘s geological history. This discovery involves a continent, known as “Argoland,” which separated from western Australia approximately 155 million years ago.
Argoland’s journey from being part of Australia to becoming a submerged landmass deep under the ocean is both fascinating and essential to understanding the Earth’s ever-changing surface.
Argoland’s geological story traces back to a split that began 300 million years ago when it was still part of Australia. Over millions of years, it separated from western Australia, forming a lengthy strip about five thousand kilometers long.
Although most of Argoland remains submerged underwater, it left a significant mark on the Earth’s surface in the form of an abyssal plain known as Argo, located off the coast of Australia.
Geologists from Utrecht University in the Netherlands embarked on a comprehensive exploration to uncover Argoland’s complex history.
Their fieldwork took them to various islands in the region, including the Andaman Islands, Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi, and Timor. By examining the age of key rock formations on these islands and using advanced computer modeling techniques, they were able to piece together the puzzle of Argoland’s geological past.
What sets Argoland apart from other continents that have separated is the way it fragmented. Instead of splitting into two distinct landmasses, Argoland broke apart into multiple smaller fragments, which made it a unique subject of study.
This complex fragmentation contributed to the intricate geological history of the region.
It took the researchers seven years to piece together this geological mosaic, ensuring that all the fragments and evidence fit together to form the story of Argoland.
The results of their study have profound implications, shedding light on the formation of Indonesia‘s islands, parts of modern-day Burma, and even the Himalayas.
This discovery showcases the power of geological research in unraveling the mysteries of our planet’s past. It underscores the importance of understanding the Earth’s dynamic processes and how they have shaped the continents and oceans we see today.
The study’s findings, published in the journal Gondwana Research, contribute valuable insights into the ever-evolving story of our planet.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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