Researchers have unveiled the most comprehensive and detailed model of the Earth’s geology over the past 100 million years
The study, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, provides insight into the tectonic and geologic processes that have shaped the planet’s surface over the past several geological eras.
The research team analyzed data from over a thousand sites worldwide, including rock formations, oceanic sediments, and fossils. By studying the composition and age of these samples, the scientists were able to create a timeline of the Earth’s geological history, from the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea to the formation of the Himalayas.
The new model provides a more accurate picture of the movement of tectonic plates over time, showing how they have collided and merged to form continents and oceans. It also sheds light on the evolution of life on Earth, including the mass extinction events that have occurred and the diversification of species that followed.
The researchers hope that their model will be useful for a wide range of applications, from predicting natural disasters to understanding the long-term effects of climate change. By gaining a better understanding of the Earth’s geological past, scientists can make more informed decisions about how to protect our planet in the future.