Lost Continent of Greater Adria Unearthed After 140 Million Years

Scientists have unveiled the secrets of Greater Adria, a lost continent submerged for 140 million years, fundamentally changing our understanding of the Mediterranean and mountain ranges. Originating 240 million years ago by separating from North Africa, Greater Adria collided with Southern Europe roughly 120 to 100 million years later, leading to its submersion. This collision created the complex 'geological mess' of the Mediterranean region. A team led by Douwe van Hinsbergen from Utrecht University spent a decade reconstructing Greater Adria's history. Utilizing advanced technology, including seismic data and microscopic magnetic minerals, they modeled tectonic plate movements. Their research, published in Gondwana Research, traced metamorphic traces of Greater Adria up to 1,500 kilometers below the Earth's surface. This discovery reshapes our view of geological forces and raises questions about the Mediterranean's geological history and potential, particularly regarding mineral resources like lithium. Van Hinsbergen plans to investigate other lost plates, such as those in the Pacific Ocean.