Researchers from the UK and Sweden have discovered a hidden landmass lying beneath the icy waters of the Davis Strait, the body of water that separates Baffin Island in Canada from Greenland. They have named this ancient fragment of land the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent.

This landmass is special because it is made of unusually thick continental crust, and it stretches between 12 and 15 miles (about 19 to 24 kilometers) in size. The scientists believe it is an ancient piece of land that has been submerged under the ocean for millions of years.

What is a Proto-microcontinent?

The Davis Strait proto-microcontinent is believed to be a primitive microcontinent. A microcontinent is an old piece of the Earth's crust that never completely separated from a larger landmass when continents like Greenland and North America began to drift apart.

The landmass was discovered while scientists were studying the ocean floor in that area. The researchers used advanced tools, including satellite gravity data and seismic readings, to help them understand the land under the ocean. These tools helped the team build a detailed picture of how the area has changed over millions of years.

How did scientists find it?

To study the area, the team used satellite gravity data to understand how the density of the rocks in the deep ocean works. This method tracks tiny changes in gravity, which gives clues about the rocks' weight and composition. Additionally, the team used seismic data, which works by sending out sound waves to map deep layers of rock beneath the ocean. The waves bounce off different layers and return, helping scientists understand what’s hidden below the surface.

Using this data, the scientists built computer models to track the movements of the land beneath the Davis Strait. They found that Greenland and North America began to drift apart around 120 million years ago, with the movement speeding up around 61 million years ago. This caused the seafloor of the Davis Strait to spread, creating more distance between Canada and Greenland.

The history of the region

Over millions of years, Greenland followed a path along a San Andreas-like fault, known as the Pre-Ungava Transform Margin. This fault helped guide Greenland’s movement, mostly northeast. However, about 56 million years ago, Greenland’s path shifted northward, which led to the formation of the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent.

About 48 million years ago, it appeared that the North American plate was on the verge of breaking apart. However, that process came to a halt when a new fault developed in the region, stopping the rifting in the Davis Strait. By 33 million years ago, Greenland had collided with Ellesmere Island, which likely further reduced its movement.

Today, the region is stable, with no major earthquakes or shifts. The landmass remains submerged beneath the waters, preserving this ancient piece of Earth’s history.

 

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