Earth's continents will become one

Most of the Earth’s continents will merge into one in about 50 to 200 million years. According to the BBC, that is what scientists predict based on a recent study. They’ve named this future supercontinent Amasia because they believe North America and Asia will join at the North Pole.

Evidence suggests that continents have gone through cycles of joining and separating throughout the Earth’s history. The most recent supercontinent is thought to have occurred 300 million years ago.

When a rock forms by lava cooling, the information about its magnetic orientation is solidified with it. The information allows scientists to figure out the rock’s relative position with respect to the earth’s poles. This is the evidence they use to figure out where the continents were billions of years ago. By knowing where the continents’ position and how they moved, scientists can predict where they will end up. (Photo by: Nasa Goddard Photo and Video, Flikr)