16 Questions
What is the name of the sunken continent mapped by scientists in the South Pacific?
Zealandia
How many square miles is Zealandia?
1.9 million square miles
Who revealed the existence of Zealandia seven years ago?
Nick Mortimer and colleagues
What is New Zealand considered to be now?
An enormous continent mostly underwater
What aided geologists in revealing the extent of Zealandia?
Rock samples and magnetic maps
According to Maria Seton, what is Zealandia?
A missing piece of the continental crust
What method did the researchers use to separate non-magnetic minerals from the dredged up granite and sedimentary samples?
Crushing and sieving
What is the significance of the zircon crystals found in the granite samples?
They reveal the age of the granite
What process do uranium atoms undergo within the zircon crystals over time?
Decay into lead
Which method did the team use to obtain a more complete picture of Zealandia's geology?
Magnetic mapping
What was the main purpose of collecting zircon crystals from the granite samples?
To understand how Zealandia formed
What are the rocks dredged up from Zealandia typically processed through before being studied under a microscope?
Crushing and sieving
What do the zircon crystals reveal about the age of Zealandia's granites?
$100 million years old
'Mortimer holds up a fist-size, splotchy, gray rock—a granite pulled from the team’s 2016 voyage to the northern portion of Zealandia.' What information does this provide about the granite?
Its texture and color
'The holes would reveal bits of information about the statue, similar to the samples taken of Zealandia, but they could only tell you so much.' What does this analogy convey about the samples taken of Zealandia?
"They provide limited information"
What is the role of magnetic field anomalies in studying Zealandia's geology?
Revealing hidden geological features
Explore the discovery and mapping of Zealandia, a sunken continent beneath the South Pacific. Learn about its geological features and how geologists pieced together rock samples and magnetic maps to reveal its extent. Discover the significance of Zealandia in the context of the region's geological history.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
