The name and concept for Zealandia was proposed by Bruce Luyendyk in 1995. The landmass may have been completely submerged by about 23 million years ago, and most of it (94%) remains submerged beneath the Pacific Ocean. New Zealand is the largest part of Zealandia that is above sea level, followed by New Caledonia.
Most of Zealandia lies underwater. The microcontinent of Zealandia helps determine New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone, or the offshore area around a country. A country may use any natural resources, such as oil or fish, in its EEZ without permission from another organization.
2 million square miles
Scientists confirmed the existence of an eighth continent, called Zealandia, under New Zealand and the surrounding ocean in 2017. Because 94% of Zealandia's 2 million square miles are underwater, mapping the continent is challenging.
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