Earth Will Become a 'Hellfire' After 250 Million Years [Reading Science]

UK Bristol University Research Team Predicts Supercontinent Theory
New Supercontinent to Form Near Equator in 250 Million Years
Increased Volcanic Activity to Turn 92% of Earth into Barren Land

It is projected that in 250 million years, most of the Earth's land will become inhospitable for mammals, including humans. Currently divided into five oceans and six continents, the Earth's landmasses will merge into a single supercontinent due to tectonic plate movements. During this process, increased volcanic activity will raise carbon dioxide levels, turning most of the land into barren wastelands.

(Photo by National Geographic Channel)

On the 25th (local time), an international academic journal, Nature Geoscience, published a research paper by a team from the University of Bristol in the UK presenting these findings. Based on the current state of tectonic plate movements, the Earth is currently in the middle phase of the supercontinent cycle. The most recent supercontinent, Pangaea, broke apart about 200 million years ago, and the next supercontinent, Pangaea Ultima, is expected to form in approximately 250 million years. As the Atlantic Ocean shrinks, the merged Africa-Eurasia continent will collide with the Americas, forming a single supercontinent centered around the equator from the current six continents.

In particular, the research team predicted a bleak climate for this new supercontinent, Pangaea Ultima. Forming mainly around the equatorial region, temperatures in many areas are expected to rise above 40 degrees Celsius, creating an environment where most existing mammal species would struggle to survive. The merging and splitting of continents will trigger volcanic activity, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide, which will enhance the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere, reducing heat loss to space and significantly raising average temperatures. Additionally, the interior parts of the supercontinent, far from the ocean, are expected to turn into deserts, making them virtually uninhabitable for mammals except in very special cases, according to the research team.

Moreover, increased solar radiation will exacerbate the situation. The Sun is expected to be more than 2.5% brighter by the time Pangaea Ultima forms, resulting in more hydrogen undergoing nuclear fusion and consequently higher radiation levels.

The research team estimates that, in the worst-case scenario, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations could reach 1120 ppm, more than double the current levels. This would mean that only about 8% of the total continental area, such as some coastal and Arctic regions, would remain suitable for mammal habitation. Considering that currently 66% of the continents support mammal survival, this represents only about one-eighth of the current habitable area.

Such environmental changes on Earth could trigger a mass extinction. This would be devastating not only for mammals but also for plants and other species. Professor Alex Farnsworth of the University of Bristol, who participated in the study, explained, "This result focuses on long-term climate modeling and does not account for carbon dioxide emissions by humans. Extinction could occur for any species, and based on previous cases, this could lead to the emergence of new dominant species."

So, will mammals be able to survive on Earth after that? The primary variable is the latitude at which the new supercontinent forms. While the Bristol University scenario predicts formation centered around the equator, previous studies have suggested scenarios where the supercontinent forms around the Arctic, where temperatures are relatively lower and life might survive. Will humans survive? Assuming humanity exists 250 million years from now, humans might evolve to adapt to the harsh environment, similar to the science fiction novel "Dune," published in 1965. Alternatively, humans might leave to find another habitable planet. Professor Farnsworth said, "They might adapt to desert environments, live in caves, or evolve into nocturnal creatures. If they can escape Earth and find another habitable planet, that would be preferable."