Terra Nova, 23(5), 333-338, doi:10.1111/j.1365-3121.2011.01018.x, 2011
Future supercontinent assembled in the northern hemisphere
Masaki Yoshida and M. Santosh
Abstract
Continental masses were amalgamated, broken apart and reassembled
within supercontinents during different times in
Earth history. Here, we attempt to predict the configuration of a
potential future supercontinent based on a numerical simulation
model of mantle convection. The mantle convection in our
model is driven by a density anomaly compiled from a global
seismic tomography model. The temporal evolution of a highly
viscous continent with an initial present-day configuration is
simulated for over 250 Ma. The result reveals that Australia,
Eurasia, North America and Africa would gather in the northern
hemisphere to form the future supercontinent. On the otherhand,
Antarctica and South America remain in the present-day
position even after 250 Ma from present, and do not join the
future supercontinent amalgam. The configuration of the future
supercontinent numerically simulated herein is broadly consistent
with the hypothetical model of the future supercontinent
Amasia speculated from geological correlations.