In an unprecedented discovery, experts have identified ancient remains of a long-lost tectonic plate, called Pontus, that are a staggering 120 million years old. The discovery sheds new light on Earth’s history and underscores the ongoing quest for knowledge about our planet. according to indy100.comResearchers Susanna van de Lagemaet and Douwe van Hinsbergen from Utrecht University made the breakthrough by analyzing geological data from the Asia-Pacific region. His prediction has now been confirmed, revealing the existence of Pontus, a previously unknown part of the Earth’s crust in Borneo.
Geologist Susanna van de Lagemaat said, “We thought we were dealing with the remains of a lost plate that we already knew about. But our magnetic laboratory research on those rocks indicated that our discoveries were basically were from very far north, and these remains must be a separate, previously unknown plate.”
He added, “But our magnetic laboratory research on those rocks indicated that our discovery was originally from much farther north, and must be the remains of a different, previously unknown plate.”
Press release!@sujannavadl‘s PhD research revealed a nice surprise: a reconstruction of the Pontus plate that we had predicted based on tomography 11 years ago. And now it starts with its reconstruction?.https://t.co/rNUOM8oazK@UUGeo @UUEEarthSciences pic.twitter.com/3hXVeSx334
– Douwe van Hinsbergen (@vanHinsbergen) 9 October 2023
Researchers reconstructed the ancient Pontus Plate, estimating that it covered an area about one-quarter the size of the Pacific Ocean. Formed during the supercontinent Pangea, Pontus lay beneath the vast ocean separating Eurasia and Australia 160 million years ago. As Pangea broke apart, the Pontus Plate was gradually subducted or swallowed by neighboring plates. This geological process led countries like the Philippines and Borneo to their current locations.
Specifically, Van de Lagemaet focused his research on the complex junction zone, where tectonic plates meet between Japan, Borneo, the Philippines, New Guinea, and New Zealand. His groundbreaking research enabled the creation of a stunning visual reconstruction.
This 3D clip reveals 160 million years of tectonic plate movements, from the dinosaur era to the present day.
