As an avid student of geology, I have followed every little change in the geography of the earth. And having read so much about the phenomenon occurring on and inside the earth, it comes as no surprise to me that the earth is smaller in size than earlier thought. However, the change can have some serious implications on the life on earth.
Our earth’s crust is a patchwork of tectonic plates that float on the asthenosphere and brings about changes on the surface of the earth. Plate tectonics theory is the backbone in understanding the mystery behind evolution of continents. But, do you know that mountains are gaining in height, the Atlantic Ocean is widening while the Pacific shrinking? Do you also know that several billions of years hence, Africa will be nowhere seen? Why? Because it will collapse or merge with Eurasia because of the active African Rift Valley pulling it apart from all sides.
Similar will be the fate of Australia, currently moving in a direction northward to smash with the Asian continent. Do you also know that today’s continents broke away from yesterday’s Pangea, which was one continent? All such happenings show that the earth is changing with few continents parting ways with each other, others coming closer.
However, the change noticed by the scientists after two years of rigorous introspection over 400 different sites, would mean that the entire continent is slimmer by 0.1 inch, which looks insignificant in numerical terms, but will have changes in the present predictions of the effect of global warming. Similar to the old ways of tracking continents with the help of quasars, the scientists also made help of them. The technique is helpful in showing the changes on earth.
The new discovery is important for those inhabiting shrinking continents as Africa, Australia while Greenland and Antarctica carrying the largest ice sheets already under threat from global warming would be further endangered after the earth’s size is found to be lesser than previously assessed. It would mean the areas under threat from submerging under waters are more threatened now. However, these new measurements would help scientists in getting a clearer picture of the impact global warming will have on us and on the environment. It would also help in telling exactly how far the continents have moved.
As the continents break apart, collide, drift and grind against each other, it can be hoped that we are up for some startling discoveries in times to come.
Via: National Geographic