Scientists make groundbreaking discovery sparking conversation over continents

Scientists have discovered similarities between the present-day separation of tectonic plates in Africa and the ongoing formation of Iceland, in what is believed to be a world-first. 

The incredible discovery was made by Dr Jordan Phethean, a lecturer in Earth Science at the University of Derby, as part of a wider team of scientists from universities in Southampton, Switzerland, Italy and the USA. The project was led by researcher Valentin Rime, who invited Dr Phethean to join the project due to his experience in Icelandic fieldwork and research. 

The findings mean that, contrary to the traditional model for the formation of Iceland and the Greenland Iceland Faroes Ridge (GIFR), scientists now believe that the break-up of the European and North American continents is still ongoing. 

Dr Phethean said:

“The discovery indicates that the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates have not yet actually broken apart, as is traditionally thought to have happened 52 million years ago. They are, in fact, still stretching and in the process of breaking apart.”

Controversially, this discovery sparks a debate over exactly how many continents officially exist in the world as, based on these findings, scientifically speaking North America and Europe could be classed as one, not two. 

It also means that Iceland is now thought to be not just a volcanic island created by a hot mantle plume beneath, but that it also contains within it pieces of lost and submerged continental fragments buried beneath millions of years of volcanic lava flows. 

Dr Phethean said:

“I like to think of this concept as the Earth Science equivalent of finding the Lost City of Atlantis; fragments of lost continent submerged beneath the sea and kilometres of lava flows. 

“By studying the evolution of rifting in the volcanic Afra region of Africa and comparing this to the behaviour of the Earth in Iceland, we are able to see that these two regions are evolving in very similar ways.”

During their research, the scientists realised that Iceland and the Greenland Iceland Faroe Ridge is a newly-recognised type of feature – a Rifted Oceanic Magmatic Plateau, or ROMP for short. Their new concept of ROMP – a world-first – defines a newly recognised type of Earth feature that can better explain plate tectonic observations. 

Dr Phethean added:

“Our findings might also explain unusual indications of continental crust beneath Iceland and the GIFR, as seen from geochemical and geophysical experiments, and build on work and suggestions from other experts.

“While it is controversial to suggest that the GIFR contains a large amount of continental crust within it, and that the European and North American tectonic plates have perhaps not yet officially broken up, our findings suggest this is the case.”

Dr Phethean will continue his work in Iceland by further investigating this concept by exploring the erupted volcanic rocks in Iceland for evidence of ancient continental crust brought up to the surface from beneath.

The team are also undertaking plate tectonic modelling of the region and will undertake geodynamic computer simulations of continental breakup to try and model processes related to ROMP formation.

Meanwhile Dr Phethean, together with researcher Luke Longley from the University of Derby, were part of a team that recently discovered a new proto-microcontinent believed to have formed 60 million years ago.

The proto-microcontinent is located between Canada and Greenland and is 250-miles long – about the same size as England. It currently sits below the Davis Strait, which connects the Labrador Sea in the south with Baffin Bay to the north. 

Its discovery was made using gravity data collected by space satellites and seismic reflection data - similar to a giant ultrasound scan of the Earth - which enabled the team to get an even better view of the proto-microcontinent.

“Rifting and microcontinent formation are an ongoing phenomena,” said Dr Phethean.

“The discovery of the Davis Straight proto-microcontinent allows us to better understand the process by which microcontinents form, which in turn tells us more about how plate tectonics operates on Earth.

"This can allow scientists to better predict where useful resources might be found, how the Earth might look millions of years into the future, and how plate tectonics operated in Earth’s early history, as well as the role it might have played in the development of life.”

From September 2024, the University of Derby will offer a new BSc (Hons) Earth Sciences degree aimed at preparing students for a career creating a sustainable future for our planet and society. 

Dr Phethean said:

“We are very excited about the Earth Sciences degree programme, which will give students the chance to be taught by members of our expert teaching team involved in a diverse range of research.

“Our aim is to address local, national and global goals for sustainable development, environmental challenges and clean growth.

“It is an exciting time to join the University of Derby. Our students are at the forefront of important research; one of our graduates, Maja, is currently working on ultra-deep geothermal energy systems offshore in Scotland, hoping to make the planet a greener place to live.”

Find out more about research at the University of Derby.