Scientists predict North America and Asia to collide and form a new supercontinent in future

Today there are seven continents in the world but this number may change in future. Geophysicist Ross Mitchell has recently launched his new book. This book titled ‘The Next Supercontinent’ that talks not only about the past but also about the future. It describes how the Earth would look when all the continents were merged into one vast landmass. Mitchell also sheds light on the history of how the continents united to form ‘supercontinents’ in the past.

Mitchell explained that between 300 and 200 million years ago, Pangea was the supercontinent, a green world full of dinosaurs centered around present-day Africa. Going further back than this, we encounter Rodinia a billion years ago, a barren landmass that included much of present-day North America and Greenland. Next to it, two billion years ago, was the first Siberia-centered supercontinent, Columbia, as some scientists believe.

How do continents move?

To understand the movements of the continents, microscopic investigation is needed. Scientists collect samples through fieldwork and determine the age of rocks. The formation and breakup of supercontinents is associated with a ‘solid but flexible’ mantle. The mantle is the layer between the Earth’s crust and core that stores heat. It has been told in the book that there is movement in the continents when the heat increases in the mantle. Continents move towards places in the mantle that are relatively cooler than other parts.

Prediction of the next supercontinent

In this way the continents collide with each other, giving rise to a new supercontinent. Using this knowledge of history and understanding of how the mantle works, Mitchell predicts ‘Amasia’ as the next supercontinent. Mitchell claims that it will be formed by the disappearance of the Arctic Ocean. According to his prediction, Amasia would form from the merger of North America and Asia.