In the collective imagination, the current configuration of continents seems immutable. However, on a geological scale, our planet has continued to transform itself, constantly reshaping its land and its oceans.
According to the projections of geologists, an upheaval awaits the earth in 250 million years: the formation of a new supercontinent, baptized Pangée Ultima. And in this planetary recomposition, France could be found in a privileged position, at the crossroads of territories today separated by thousands of kilometers.
Pangeum Ultima: the return of the supercontinent
About 200 million years ago, the original pangée fragmented under the effect of the movements of the tectonic plates, giving birth to the current arrangement of the continents. But this separation was only a temporary step in the history of the earth. The tectonic plates continue their slow drift, animated by colossal forces resulting from the depths of the terrestrial mantle.
According to Christopher Scotese, geographer and designer of the Paleomap project, this inevitable movement will lead, in 250 million years, to the fusion of the continental masses into a huge unique block: Pangée Ultima.
In this scenario, the Atlantic Ocean will disappear, swallowed by the gradual approach from the Americas to Africa and Eurasia. The Indian Ocean, on the other hand, will become an inner sea, surrounded by territories today familiar but radically transformed. Global geography will be unrecognizable: Cuba will merge with the United States, Korea will be taken in vice between China and Japan, and Greenland will focus in Canada.
France, future neighbor of the North Pole and Africa
In this new pangeus, France will occupy a strategic place. Geological simulations indicate that hexagon will go back to Nordic latitudes, approaching the North Pole. But that’s not all: the disappearance of the Mediterranean, a direct consequence of the collision of the plates, will bring France closer to North Africa. Thus, our borders could rub shoulders not only Spain, Portugal or Italy, but also Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia.
This geographic upheaval will be accompanied by extreme climatic conditions. According to a study published in the journal Nature, the training of Pangée Ultima will lead to Intense volcanic activityresponsible for a massive increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Result: temperatures exceeding 40 ° C on most of the supercontinent as well as a generalized aridity, aggravated by a 2.5 % brighter sun than today. This explosive cocktail could cause a massive extinction of mammals, unable to adapt to such a hostile environment.
However, the regions located at the most northern latitudes, close to the current polar circle, could offer a more temperate climate and more stable water resources. France, going up to these areas, is said to be among the rare territories still habitable in this new worldalongside the United Kingdom, Portugal and certain parts of North Africa. This role of climate refuge would give our country an unprecedented importance in the future history of the planet.
- The earth will form a new supercontinent, Pangée Ultima, in 250 million years, completely reshaping global geography.
- France will find itself close to the North Pole and North Africa, benefiting from a milder climate than the majority of the supercontinent.
- Despite extreme conditions on most of the emerged land, France could become one of the rare living space for surviving species.
📍 To not miss any Citron press, follow us on Google News and Whatsapp.
