91download.com supports a wide range of platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Dailymotion, Reddit, Bilibili, Douyin, Xiaohongshu and Zhihu, etc. Click the download button below to parse and download the current video
Have you ever wondered about the mythical Atlantis, a continent lost to the depths of the ocean? Well, it turns out that such a tale isn't just a myth. scientists have uncovered a real-life Atlantis-like continent near Australia. Welcome to Sahul, a land that once thrived but now lies submerged beneath the waves. Let's dive into its fascinating history and the secrets it holds.
Around 70,000 years ago, during the last ice age, a vast land mass called Sahul existed in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. This ancient supercontinent connected what we now know as Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania, and the Aru Islands. Imagine a place with lush tropical rainforests, towering mountains, and a diverse array of unique animals. Sahul was a world onto itself, filled with pouched creatures, grazers, scavengers, and predators, unlike anything seen on other continents.
Sahul was home to the diprotodon, a massive herbivore, the powerful Hunter thylacine, and the terrifying Megalania, a creature far larger than any living lizard today. It was a land where bats and rodents were the only placental mammals, setting it apart from the rest of the world.
Humans, ever the explorers, made an incredible journey from Southeast Asia to Sahul, arriving between 60,000 and 45,000 years ago. They traveled on foot and by sea, using bamboo rafts and simple boats, crossing from the ancient land mass of Sunda, which included parts of Southeast Asia. Their migration took them across a series of islands known as Walaa before they spread across Sahul.
Sahul was massive, covering around 4.1 million square miles, larger than the USA or Canada. It stretched from the equator to the southern part of New Zealand. These early settlers left behind cave paintings that date back 40,000 years, depicting hunting scenes and the lives they led.
Similar to the mythical Atlantis, Sahul met a watery fate. During the last ice age, much of the Earth's water was locked up in ice sheets and glaciers, resulting in lower sea levels. However, as global temperatures rose and the ice sheets melted, sea levels increased, flooding the land bridges that connected Sahul's different parts. Around 8,000 years ago, New Guinea separated from mainland Australia, followed by Tasmania 2,000 years later.
Thanks to modern technology, we can now explore the underwater remnants of Sahul. Divers collect samples directly from the ocean floor, while underwater drones venture into depths too dangerous for humans. Sonar mapping uses sound waves to create detailed maps of the ocean floor, revealing the ancient rivers, lakes, and coastlines that once existed.
Sahul isn't the only sunken continent. Sunda Land, once home to Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and other islands, was also massive during the ice age but is now almost entirely underwater. The parts above the ocean are rich in biodiversity, including a fifth of the world's bird species and a quarter of its fish species.
Zealandia, a long, narrow piece of land about half the size of Australia, broke from Antarctica 100 million years ago. Like Sunda Land, it isn't fully submerged, with 7% of it remaining above sea level. Another hidden world, known as Argoland, once part of Australia, now lies beneath the Sunda Trench, a deep oceanic pit.
The discovery of Sahul and other sunken continents opens up a world of possibilities. Hidden continents like these are scattered around the globe, and who knows what secrets they may hold? As technology advances, we may uncover even more of these lost worlds.
In conclusion, Sahul stands as a testament to the incredible changes our planet has undergone. Its story is a blend of history, science, and the enduring human spirit of exploration. If you're as fascinated by this tale as we are, give this article a like and share it with your friends. Stay curious and keep exploring the bright side of science!
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook