Source / GNS ScienceA GNS Science-led study published in 2017 put the continent of Zealandia on the world map. It showed that Zealandia - like other continents - is large, relatively high, has thick crust, and contains rocks like granite and greywacke. However, all the other continents have rocks that are a billion years old or older, a feature that appeared to be missing from Zealandia. Image / GNS ScienceThe granites had been brought to the surface by uplift of the Zealandia continent in response to earthquake activity along our plate boundary over millions of years. Geologists tended to focus on zircon grains when investigating past continents because the ultra-durable mineral crystallised in most magmas and could survive many geologic events over billions of years.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 16, 2021 23:37 UTC