A new supercontinent formed of the world’s high-altitude land masses could wipe out humans and make the Earth uninhabitable, research suggests.
Researchers from Arizona State University have warned that the formation of a mega-continent – in which the world’s highest landmasses coalesce – could have catastrophic consequences for the human race.
Using mathematical modelling, the researchers investigated the impact such a supercontinent would have on atmospheric circulation patterns and the Earths climate, and their results were alarming.
The atmospheric effects of the supercontinent would pave the way for extreme temperatures, overwhelming rains, and devastating droughts – essentially rendering the planet uninhabitable.
The study revealed that atmospheric models showed that the supercontinent could cause summer weather systems to take on an equatorially-dominated geometry, while at the same time limiting temperatures and shifting winds, setting the perfect conditions for an uninhabitable planet.
Crucially, the research also found that the formation of the supercontinent would act as a barrier to the global circulation of heat energy, cutting off the pole-to-pole exchange of heat. This disruption, in turn, could lead to the demise of the biosphere, leading to the extinction of humans and most of the animal kingdom.
The research serves as a stark reminder of the humanity’s dependence on a stable climate and the potential catastrophic consequences of rapid changes to our environment. It also highlights the urgent need for nations to work together to secure a stable global environment – before it is too late.
