The future supercontinent Pangea Ultima could lead to a mass extinction
A recent study led by Dr. Alexander Farnsworth, a senior research fellow at the University of Bristol, warns that extreme global temperatures could eventually drive mammals, including humans, to extinction. This research, published in Nature Geoscience, anticipates a distant but dramatic future for Earth in which the continents merge into a single, enormous landmass called Pangea Ultima. The resulting climate changes could make much of the planet uninhabitable, fundamentally changing life as we know it.
Formation of Pangea Ultima: a triple climate threat
The research was published in the journal Natural Geosciences. Earth’s tectonic plates are constantly moving, and scientists predict that they will eventually converge to form Pangea Ultima. The unique configuration of this supercontinent would worsen the climate crisis by creating a ‘continentality effect’, where much of the land would be far from cooling oceanic influences. Combined with increased solar brightness and higher carbon dioxide levels due to tectonic volcanic activity, the landmass could experience widespread temperatures between 40 and 50 °C (104–122 °F), with even greater extremes in some regions. Dr. Farnsworth emphasized that humans and other mammals may have difficulty regulating body heat under these conditions, ultimately endangering their survival.
Heat tolerance limits of mammals
HistoricallyMammals have evolved to survive various environmental challenges, but their ability to cope with extreme heat has limitations. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above human tolerance can be fatal. Researchers estimate that only 8-16% of Pangea Ultima would remain habitable for mammals, which would pose serious problems in securing food and water.
The current climate crisis as a reminder
Although this scenario is millions of years away, co-author Dr Eunice Lo, Research Fellow in Climate Change and Health at the University of Bristol, emphasizes that immediate climate action is crucial. She notes that current greenhouse gas emissions are already causing severe heat waves, highlighting the need to reach net-zero emissions.
Implications beyond Earth’s future
These findings could also help scientists assess the habitability of exoplanets. According to Dr. Farnsworth, the configuration of continents can strongly influence climate, suggesting that even planets within a solar system’s habitable zone may not be suitable for human life.
