The lost continent of Great Adria has been rediscovered in southern Europe. The size of Greenland, evidence of this lost continent was released in the scientific journal Gondwana Research. The evidence suggests that Adria was a giant landmass that first split from what is now France, Spain and North Africa, reports Metro UK.
What destroyed Adria?
Shifting tectonic plates pushed the former continent into the depths of the Earth’s subduction zones. After this, Adria was no more. Most of the continent was destroyed in the Earth’s mantle (which is extremely hot) but what remains is still very visible today.
The tectonic remains of Adria went on to form some of the most breathtaking mountains we see today. These include the Alps and mountains in the Balkans, Greece, Italy and Turkey. Many of the world’s great mountains like the Alps, Andes and the Canadian Rockies were formed due to the Earth’s tectonic plates smashing together. When tectonic plates converge, their edges crumple and create huge slabs of rock. These are eventually forced through the Earth’s crust to form mountains.
The new study also highlighted the fact that several parts of Greater Adria broke off but did not disintegrate. The relics of the continent can be seen today in the Istria region of Croatia, northern Italy (dotted between Venice and Turin) and southern Italy (the heel section of the country’s ‘boot’).
Adria is spread over 30 countries
It took scientists a while to discover Adria because of Europe’s complex geological structure. Evidence of this former continent’s existence is spread over nearly 30 countries. Mapping this proved to be quite a complicated task that involved several mapping and data techniques from scientists all over the Eurasian plate. After a decades’ worth of research, scientists were able to discover Adria. Several types of data including technological, geological and geophysical data were gathered from across the region.
