Zealandia is a mostly submerged microcontinent, larger than India or Greenland, with only 7% above water as the two islands of New Zealand. It consists mainly of two parallel underwater mountain ranges and is unique among continents. Zealandia split from the supercontinent Gondwana about 130 and 85 million years ago and is home to New Zealand’s largest natural gas field.
Zealandia is a mostly submerged microcontinent about 3,500,000 km2 (1,350,000 mi2) in size, larger than either India or Greenland and just under half the size of Australia. The 7% of the landmass that is above water makes up the two islands of New Zealand. The remaining 93% is submerged in 100 – 1000 m (328 – 3,280 ft) of shallow water. Zealandia is also known as Tasmantis, the continent of New Zealand and the continent of Zealandia. The entire continent juts out about 1,000–1,500 m (3,280 – 4,900 ft) from the surrounding sea floor.
Zealandia is one of the world’s two major submerged microcontinents, the other being the entirely submerged continent of Kerguelen, located approximately 5,000 miles (8,040 km) to the east. These microcontinents were created by the friction between tectonic plates and the resulting volcanic activity. The continent of Zealandia consists mainly of two parallel mountain ranges, mostly underwater. This geological composition is unique among continents.
Zealandia lies on the boundary between two tectonic plates, the Australian Plate and the Pacific Plate. In general terms, the Australian Plate is moving north while the Pacific Plate is moving west. Interestingly, New Zealand’s South and North Islands are on different plates, and as a result, the two islands are moving away from each other at a rate of about 4 m (13 ft) per century. Zealandia split from its parent continent, the supercontinent Gondwana, about 130 and 85 million years ago. Like South Africa and the tip of South America (Patagonia), New Zealand contains some species left over from when the three were united as a supercontinent.
During past glaciations, the world’s sea levels sank, thereby exposing more Zealandia, though exactly how much is unknown. Much of Zealandia is thought to contain fossils from times when life thrived across much of the continent. Zealandia is home to New Zealand’s largest natural gas field, the Maui Gas Field, which supplies 75% of New Zealand’s hydrocarbons. Other areas of Zealandia will be mined in the future.
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