Radical New Study Argues Earth Has Six Continents, Not Seven

Forget what you learned in elementary school geography; Earth might not have seven continents after all. From a young age, we’re taught that the world is divided into Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America.

However, a recent study in Gondwana Research argues that there are actually only six. This bold idea comes from Dr. Jordan Phethean and his team at the University of Derby.

They delved into the long-accepted story of how Europe and North America pulled apart roughly 52 million years ago. Instead of observing two completely separate plates, they found that these landmasses are still stretching away from each other and may never have fully broken free.

At the heart of this rethinking is Iceland. Traditionally, we’ve been taught that Iceland emerged around 60 million years ago along the mid-Atlantic ridge. As the North American and Eurasian plates drifted apart, a hot plume of magma pushed up through the gap, forming the island.

But Phethean’s group took a closer look at rock samples and tectonic shifts not just in the North Atlantic, but across Africa as well. Their analysis revealed something unexpected: parts of Iceland and the underwater ridge connecting Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands (GIFR) contain fragments of both European and North American crust.

Researchers Found That Africa’s Afar Region Is Remarkably Similar to Iceland.

“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,” Phethean admits.

However, he points out that the evidence aligns: chemical signatures in the rocks, patterns of stretching in the plates, and the way volcanic material is laid down all hint at a shared origin.

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To capture this idea, the team has coined the term Rifted Oceanic Magmatic Plateau, or ROMP. Unlike a classic oceanic ridge made of new basalt, a ROMP includes older continental material that has been pulled thin and draped beneath younger lava flows.

In Phethean’s words, discovering ROMP is “the Earth Science equivalent of finding the Lost City of Atlantis,” because it uncovers “fragments of a lost continent submerged beneath the sea and kilometers of thin lava flows.”

Dr. Phethean's research challenges traditional geographical classifications, suggesting a fresh perspective on continental definitions. According to Dr. Michael S. Matz, a geologist and expert on tectonic movements, this study underscores the importance of examining geological connections rather than solely relying on cultural or historical separations.

He emphasizes that advancements in technology allow for more nuanced studies of Earth's structure, which could redefine our understanding of landmasses. As Dr. Matz points out, adopting a flexible mindset in geography can lead to greater insights into Earth's complex systems and relationships.

The Study Proposed Bold Theories About How Iceland Came to Be.

One of the most striking pieces of the puzzle is the similarity between Iceland’s geology and Africa’s Afar region, where three tectonic plates meet in a spreading triangle. Both areas show signs of continental crust mingled with volcanic layers.

If the ROMP idea holds up, it means Europe and North America aren’t entirely separate; they’re more like two halves of the same landmass that are still being pulled apart.

The team isn’t stopping at theory. They plan to sample more volcanic rocks from Iceland to determine the crust’s composition.

They’re also running computer simulations and plate-tectonic models to see how a ROMP could form and evolve over millions of years. Those tests should tell us whether the ROMP truly bridges two continents or if it’s a local quirk of North Atlantic volcanism.

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This work builds on Phethean’s earlier discovery of a “proto-microcontinent” lurking beneath the Davis Strait between Canada and Greenland. Roughly the size of England, that buried landmass demonstrated that tiny continental fragments can survive rifting events.

“Rifting and microcontinent formation are ongoing phenomena,” Phethean says, “which help scientists better understand the behavior of continents and plate tectonics.”

If his team’s ROMP model pans out, it could change how we map continents and study Earth’s history. We might redraw the line between Europe and North America, merge them into a single supercontinent for now, and rethink the forces that shape our planet.

Beyond academic curiosity, this has practical value too: knowing where continental crust lies could guide the search for mineral deposits, geothermal energy, and other resources. Our planet is more dynamic than the neat seven-continent chart suggests, and thanks to Phethean and his colleagues, we’re getting a clearer picture of how the pieces really fit together.

Experts in education and geography, like Dr. Howard Gardner, advocate for a more integrated understanding of geographical science in school curricula. With this study's findings, educators can promote critical thinking about traditional concepts. Dr. Gardner suggests that incorporating interdisciplinary approaches in classrooms not only engages students but fosters a deeper appreciation for geography's relevance.

Teachers might implement project-based learning where students explore geographical connections through research and discussions. This hands-on approach encourages learners to question and analyze prevailing notions, such as the number of continents.

This groundbreaking research invites us to reconsider how we define continents and their interconnections. As we approach geography education, integrating modern research findings can enrich students' understanding and foster critical thinking skills.

Experts like Dr. Gardner highlight the importance of adapting educational strategies to reflect ongoing scientific discoveries. By doing so, we prepare future generations to engage thoughtfully with the world around them, emphasizing the fluidity of knowledge in disciplines like geography.