Earth May Have Only Six Continents, New Theory Suggests North America and Europe Are Still Connected

A novel theory suggests that Earth may possess only six continents, positing that North America and Europe are still connected by a submerged landmass despite the Atlantic Ocean separating them. This idea, championed by Dr. Jordan Phethean of the University of Derby, challenges the widely accepted seven-continent model.

The prevailing understanding of Earth's continents includes Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. These landmasses are understood to have once been part of a supercontinent called Pangea, which began to break apart between 200 and 300 million years ago due to the movement of tectonic plates.

Dr. Phethean's theory is based on studies that indicate the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates have not fully separated, a process thought to have occurred approximately 52 million years ago. His research points to an underwater ridge stretching from Greenland to Iceland and the Faroe Islands as evidence of this persistent connection. This ridge, according to his findings, contains remnants of continental crust that did not fully break apart.

Scientists measured the thickness of the crust beneath the seafloor using gravity and seismic scans, developing computer models to track the movement of tectonic plates over millions of years. They compared these findings to areas where continents have definitively separated, such as Africa and South America.

One study, published in the journal Geology in July 2024, highlighted the Central Afar region in East Africa. Researchers noted that this area exhibits thick crust and significant volcanic activity, similar to features found under Iceland and the Greenland-Iceland-Faroe Ridge (GIFR). The presence of old continental crust within new volcanic rock in both locations suggests a similar geological process where continents do not break apart cleanly.

In September 2024, further findings were published in Gondwana Research. This research identified a submerged section of thick continental crust, dubbed the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent, located between Canada and Greenland. This formation, 12 to 15 miles thick, indicated that while separation began between 49 and 58 million years ago, the process stalled before the landmass became fully distinct.

Dr. Phethean stated that the presence of continental crust within the GIFR is controversial, suggesting that the European and North American tectonic plates may not have fully separated. However, a study in Communications Earth & Environment has challenged this interpretation. This international team suggests that the thick crust under Iceland is a result of volcanic hotspots and seafloor spreading, rather than incomplete continental separation.

The definition of a continent itself is often a blend of geological, historical, and cultural factors. For instance, Europe and Asia are geologically continuous but are conventionally treated as separate continents. Phethean's studies did not address the classification of Eurasia as a single landmass.