Scientists say Earth’s continents may merge again into a massive supercontinent hundreds of millions of years from now. Studies published in Geological Magazine (2018) and Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems (2021) suggest this tectonic shift could trigger extreme climate changes, disrupted oceans, and possible mass extinctions.

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• Earth’s continents were once united as Pangea, which began breaking apart ~200 million years ago
• Researchers say tectonic forces may eventually reverse, forming a new supercontinent
• Four main future scenarios proposed: Novopangea, Pangea Proxima, Aurica, Amasia
• Novopangea: Atlantic widens, Pacific shrinks, continents collide into one landmass
• Pangea Proxima: oceans expand, then subduction zones pull continents back together
• Aurica: Pacific and Atlantic close, continents merge near the equator
• Amasia: Arctic Ocean closes, continents cluster near the North Pole
• Climate models show Aurica could be warmer and drier, with ~3°C temperature rise
• Amasia could trigger deep cooling, permanent ice sheets, and widespread glaciation
• Scientists warn outcomes depend on unknowns like vegetation, CO₂ emissions, aerosols, and human impact
• Researchers say long-term survival may require harmony with ecosystems, not intelligence alone