They discovered a lost tectonic mega-plate between Japan and New Zealand

A researcher from University of Utrecht He discovered A. in the Netherlands Tectonic Mega Plate A quarter of the size of the Pacific Ocean is huge and previously unknown.

This is about A tectonic megaplate called “Pontus” by scientists. This was predicted 10 years earlier by researchers from the same university; It has so far been discovered by geologists Susanna van de Lakemautwho analyzed the geographic data.

To achieve this, van de Lakematt He reconstructed the lost plates Through field studies and data from mountainous regions of Japan, Borneo, Philippines, New Guinea and New Zealand.

That’s what the expert found The marine remains located in North Borneo must belong to the plate This has long been suspected and scientists have called “Pontus.”

Van de Lakematt’s research is also a Unique plate tectonic system The syncline, from southern Japan to New Zealand, must have existed for at least 150 million years. This is also a new innovation in this field.

How did we know about the existence of this tectonic mega plate?

According to expert, Large oceanic plates of the geological past They disappeared into the Earth’s crust through subduction, leaving behind hidden fragments of rock in mountainous regions.

Thanks to these remains, Van de Laquemaut was reconstructed for the first time Current plate movements Between Japan and New Zealand.

Geospatial data revealed just how big it is plate area It must have been hidden in what is now the western Pacific.

The discovery of Tectonic Mega Plate “Pontus” This is important because understanding the movements of the tectonic plates that make up Earth’s solid outer layer is critical to understanding the geological history of the planet.