Atlantic Ocean will disappear and form a “supercontinent”, scientists say

The Atlantic should close again and create a “supercontinent” (Photo: Stock Images)

A study of the Discover magazine February this year reveals that the Atlantic Ocean will disappear due to the movement of tectonic plates. Furthermore, the meeting between continental and oceanic crusts will lead to the formation of a “supercontinent”. The phenomena can happen in approximately 200 million years.

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The Atlantic, formed 150 million years ago by the separation of the continents Africa and Europe, is destined to close again. The conclusion is supported by new discoveries in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea.

— As tectonic plates move, they change the distribution of environments occupied by terrestrial organisms and also where our seas, our ocean, are located. — explains Paulo Horta, professor at UFSC with a doctorate in biogeography.

Formation of a “supercontinent”

The professor also explains the phenomenon of subduction, which must be responsible for the formation of the “supercontinent”.

— Subduction occurs when older plates, which are denser, begin to slide beneath younger plates, which are low in density. The ocean, from this moment on, begins to shrink.

— The expectation is that this will take more than 200 million years to happen, but this meeting of the continents could happen again — points out Paulo about the possibility of the emergence of a “supercontinent”.

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