Apocalyptic Revelation: Scientists Warn of Impending Supercontinent Disaster that Threatens Humanity's Survival
Scientists predict the formation of a future 'supercontinent' in 250 million years, potentially posing a threat to human survival and mammal species, warns a new study
Researchers at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom have used cutting-edge supercomputer climate models to predict that the merging of the world's continents into a new supercontinent, named Pangea Ultima, in approximately 250 million years could have catastrophic consequences for humans and all other remaining living mammals.
The researchers discovered that the supercontinent would experience intense heat, aridity, and harsh conditions unsuitable for human and mammal habitation due to their inability to withstand prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. By simulating temperature, wind, rainfall, and humidity patterns, as well as analyzing tectonic plate movements, ocean chemistry, and biology models, the researchers were able to determine the levels of carbon dioxide present.
According to a paper published on Monday in the journal Nature Geoscience, experts have discovered that the formation of Pangea Ultima would not only result in more frequent volcanic eruptions, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and causing global warming. Additionally, they found that the sun would also intensify, emitting more energy and further contributing to the warming of the Earth.
A chimney from the Linden Cogeneration Plant is seen in Linden New Jersey April 22, 2022.
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"The emergence of the new supercontinent would create a triple threat, involving the continentality effect, increased solar radiation, and higher levels of CO2 in the atmosphere," stated Alexander Farnsworth, lead author of the paper and senior research associate at the University of Bristol.
"Widespread temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 degrees Celsius (104 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit) and even more extreme daily variations, coupled with high humidity, would ultimately result in our demise. Humans, along with numerous other species, would perish as they cannot effectively cool their bodies by sweating," remarked Farnsworth.
According to Farnsworth, the intensified heat would lead to an environment devoid of nourishment and water sources for mammals.
This image shows the geography of today's Earth and the projected geography of Earth in 250 million years, when all the continents converge into one supercontinent
The University of Bristol scientists have stated that despite the inherent uncertainties in making long-term predictions, the outlook seems exceedingly bleak. They estimate that a mere 8% to 16% of the supercontinent's land would be viable for mammals to inhabit.
According to the report, carbon dioxide levels could potentially double from their current levels. However, this estimation was based on the assumption that humans immediately cease burning fossil fuels. Otherwise, we can expect these numbers to increase much sooner, as stated by Benjamin Mills, a professor of Earth system evolution at the University of Leeds and a co-author of the report.
The authors of the report cautioned against complacency in addressing today's climate crisis, emphasizing that human-caused climate change is already responsible for millions of deaths worldwide on an annual basis.
People walk on snow as a winter storm hits New York City on January 23, 2016.
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In the release, co-author Eunice Lo, a research fellow in climate change and health at the University of Bristol, emphasizes the urgent importance of not overlooking the current climate crisis caused by human emissions of greenhouse gases. Lo further highlights that even though an uninhabitable planet is projected in 250 million years, we are already facing severe heat that negatively impacts human health. Therefore, it is crucial to achieve net-zero emissions as quickly as possible.
According to a significant UN-backed report published last year, climate change is projected to drastically alter life on Earth, leaving billions of people and other species unable to adapt unless there is a significant reduction in global warming. For decades, scientists have emphasized the importance of keeping warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. However, time is running out to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and prevent catastrophic changes that would fundamentally change the world as we know it.
The dinosaurs and the majority of life on Earth were wiped out approximately 66 million years ago due to an asteroid impact. Reporting for CNN was provided by Angela Fritz, Rachel Ramirez, and Laura Paddison.
