Scientists have identified a new microcontinent, known as the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent, located in the ocean between Canada and Greenland.
The proto-microcontinent is a thicker-than-normal fragment of continental crust. It is larger than other previously discovered microcontinents.
The research team used gravity and seismic reflection data to identify faults, rifting, mid-ocean ridges, and transform faults related to the formation of the proto-microcontinent. The initial rifting between Canada and Greenland beginning around 118 million years ago.
Seafloor spreading in the Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay started around 61 million years ago, with the crucial period for proto-microcontinent formation noted between 49-58 million years ago. The ocean spreading stopped by 33 million years ago as Greenland collided with Ellesmere Island.
The Davis Strait proto-microcontinent was identified based on crustal thickness, surrounded by bands of thin continental crust.
Understanding the formation of the Davis Strait microcontinent can provide insights into studying similar formations like Jan Mayen in Iceland and Gulden Draak Knoll in Australia.
Sources: Mystery Planet, Times of India, Super, Phys.org, Tech Times, Cosmos Magazine, Daily Mail, The Mirror.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
