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The crust consists of lithospheric plates that move at a speed of several centimeters per year. Because of this movement every 400-600 million years, the continents are gathering on a huge continent. In the past, Pangea was such a supercontinent, which split into two continents, 200 to 150 million years ago. Now, the continents are at the stage of almost maximal separation.
Scientists say the reverse convergence process will start in the future, but that after 200-250 Ma, the continents will not form a new supercontinent. The question is how exactly will it be formed and what will be the shape of the future single continent.
In an article in the journal Global and Planetary Change, scientists proposed four main scenarios for the formation of the next supercontinent: Novopanga, Pangea Ultima, Aurika and Amazia.
If the Atlantic continues to expand, as it is now, and the closure of the Pacific Ocean, the United States will end up facing Antarctica in the north. Africa and Eurasia will join them. Australia will be sandwiched in the middle.
If the Atlantic Ocean slows its expansion, Europe, the United States and Africa will join a continent called Pangea Ultima. It will be swept by the Pacific on all sides.
The Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific can close. They will be replaced by a new ocean basin on the site of a pan-Asian split, which crosses the line of western India – the Arctic. Australia's drifting north will be at the center of a new supercontinent.
If all the plates continue to drift north, they will meet at the North Pole. They will be clustered in the northern hemisphere and only the Antarctic and the boundless ocean will remain in the south.
Until now, Novopangeya is the most likely option, say the scientists.
The remaining scenarios are possible if new processes come into effect.
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