Which of the continents on Earth moves the fastest

Australia shifts to the north of about 7 centimeters every year

Yarr65/depositphotos

Australia is the « fastest » continent on Earth, which is shifting to the north of about 7 centimeters every year. About this length a year grows human hair or nails.

For comparison, other continents move on average 1.5 centimeters per year, reports IFL Science.

The drift of the continents is reflected in the work of geolocation tools that determine their location according to the fixed coordinate scheme. Due to the displacement of land, geolocation tools can work incorrectly.

For example, by 2017, Australia has used coordinates since 1994. In 23 years, they parted with a tectonic stove by 1.6 meters. Because of this, the coordinate system had to be updated.

In general, the continents are constantly in motion, although people do not feel it. This is due to the movement of tectonic plates, which are cut into each other, then diverge.

Australia lies on part of the Indo-Australian tectonic plate, which includes not only Australia and Tasmania, but also part of New Guinea, New Zealand. Every year it shifts north.

Scientists suggest that the Indo-Australian slab can crash into the lower part of the Eurasian plate and form a new continental array-« Austrians ». However, it will take several million years.

We will remind, we used to reportedthat in the Pacific at a depth of more than 2500 meters, scientists have found an ecosystem that survives in extreme conditions.