A recent study suggests that the next supercontinent’s formation could cause the eradication of mammals. Scientists predict this by studying mammals’ heat tolerance and the Earth’s future climate conditions, 250 million years from now. They believe that the likely next supercontinent, termed “Pangaea Ultima,” will lead to this mass extinction.
Their forecast comes from a climate model that includes changes in land surface temperature, increased sun radiation intensity, and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels related to a new supercontinent. Nature Geoscience published this study on September 25.
Key Facts About Pangaea Ultima
- Pangaea Ultima is expected to form in about 250 million years as a result of the Earth’s landmasses crashing together, most likely at the equator.
- The new supercontinent will experience high temperatures for two main reasons: lack of cooling effects from oceans and absorption of more radiation from a more active sun.
- Additionally, increased volcanic activity will raise the levels of carbon dioxide significantly.
- These high temperatures can prove fatal for mammals, as their adaptations for coping with heat, like sweat glands and circulatory systems, fail above certain temperatures.
- To determine the habitability of Pangaea Ultima, scientists used a climate model run on a supercomputer.
- Considering factors like Earth’s landmass being locked-in, increased solar radiation, and elevated carbon dioxide levels, the model predicted that only 8% of the supercontinent’s land would be suitable for mammals.
- Scientists predict a significant increase in temperature due to massive eruptions creating carbon-emitting, lava-laden regions known as large igneous provinces.
- These provinces, formed by the collision of tectonic plates, could cause temperatures to rise rapidly, leaving little adaptation time for mammals.
- Certain specialised mammals can survive extreme conditions like those in the Sahara today. It’s uncertain if such mammals would evolve to be more prevalent and populate Pangaea Ultima.
- There’s a chance that Pangaea Ultima could lead to the extinction of all life, particularly if temperatures rise to levels that inhibit plant photosynthesis.
- The ability of plants to adapt to these temperatures and the resilience of future marine ecosystems require further research.
Possible Future Supercontinents
- One potential supercontinent is ‘Pangaea Ultima.’
- There are other supercontinents that could form, like ‘Amasia.’
- Scientists have different predictions about future supercontinents.
- ‘Amasia’ could form if the Americas drift westward across the Pacific and collide with Asia.
- This movement could result in the Americas being located near the North Pole.
- Another prediction suggests that the Americas, Africa, and Eurasia might come together.
- This could lead to the elimination of the Atlantic Ocean.
- These landmasses might join along the equator, creating a different supercontinent.
Understanding Earth’s Supercontinents
- Supercontinents, massive land masses resulting from the drifting of continents, have formed throughout Earth’s history.
- Continents move approximately 0.6 inches a year, a pace slower than the growth of our fingernails.
- Despite the seemingly insignificant movement, over long periods, this drifting can significantly reshape Earth’s appearance.
- Pangea is the most widely known supercontinent, but it’s not the only one.
- About 1 billion years ago, the Amazon and the Baltics were part of the supercontinent named Rodinia.
- Even before Rodinia, another supercontinent called Nuna existed several hundred million years earlier.