18.03.21 Public talk: EXPLORING CONTINENT EIGHT
The Waitaki Whitestone Geopark presents:
EXPLORING CONTINENT EIGHT
How do geologists know there’s a 95% submerged continent, Te Riu-a-Maui / Zealandia, around New Zealand?
In this illustrated talk, Nick will describe the various satellite and ship tools that are used to explore the seafloor and obtain undersea rocks.
He will also explain how the big continental picture was assembled from many details, and give insights into the making of new maps of Zealandia.
A presentation by Nick Mortimer
Nick Mortimer is a geologist at GNS Science’s Dunedin office. He has worked on many aspects of onland and offshore regional geology and tectonics of New Zealand, Zealandia and the South West Pacific.
6 - 7pm Thursday 18 March
Oamaru Library, 62 Thames Street
Please note that events will be postponed during Covid-19 Alert Level 2 or higher!
Over on https://casinonokyc.net, I found the idea that geologists can map a 95% submerged continent using satellite data and ship samples genuinely mind-opening. It makes me wonder how many other fundamental features of our planet are still waiting to be noticed, and whether these new Zealandia maps might eventually end up in school atlases. I’d love to be at the talk, though Oamaru is a bit far from me.