Scientists say Earth only has six continents, not seven

Key Points:

• New research led by Dr. Jordan Phethean from the University of Derby suggests that Europe and North America may not be fully separated, with hidden geological connections beneath the North Atlantic challenging the traditional seven-continent model.
• The study highlights Iceland and the Greenland-Iceland-Faroes Ridge as containing remnants of continental material, described as a "Rifted Oceanic Magmatic Plateau," indicating complex tectonic processes rather than a simple oceanic boundary.
• Investigations into the Davis Strait reveal unusually thick crust that may be stretched continental material, suggesting that continental breakup can be incomplete and more intricate than previously thought.
• Using gravity measurements, seismic data, and crustal thickness maps, the team reconstructed multiple stages of tectonic stretching in the North Atlantic, showing that some regions act as transition zones rather than typical ocean basins.
• While the findings could reshape understanding of continental boundaries and influence geological models, further research and testing are needed before redefining the number of continents or fully confirming the presence of submerged continental fragments.