The map on the main window illustrates the speeds that scientists have carefully measured for the Earth's tectonic plates. Using this information, scientists can predict the position of the Earth's tectonic plates in the future.

Learning Activity: The Geography of the Future

In this exercise you will investigate future scenarios of how the shapes and positions of continents on the Earth will change as a result of tectonic plate motion. You will project plate motion up to 250 million years into the future in this exercise.

First, click here to see an animation of projected plate movements from the present to the next 250 million years. You may want to watch the animation a couple of times (or in flat map mode) before moving to the learning activity questions.

50 Million Years in the Future

Click here and carefully examine the animation to the right comparing how the Earth is expected to look 50 million years in the future. You can rotate the globe to view the different continents.

1. Where are the Baja Peninsula and the coast of California now located?
The Baja California Peninsula and the coast of California have moved north up towards Alaska and are approaching the Aleutian Trench.


2. What has happened to Africa and Europe?
Africa has collided with Europe. The Mediterranean Sea has disappeared.


3. Do you think that this collision between Africa and Europe will herald a new era of mountain building? Explain.
It is highly likely that this collision will be the start of a new era of mountain building. Mountains are often built when tectonic plates collide. The interaction of Africa and Europe will be very similar to the interaction between India and Asia that resulted in the creation of the Himalayas.


4. What has happened to Australia?
Australia has started to collide with the island nations of South East Asia (i.e., Indonesia, Malaysia)

100 Million Years in the Future

Click here and carefully examine the map to the right illustrating the projected shape of the Earth 100 million years in the future.

5. Describe the major changes that have occurred in the interiors of North and South America.
Both North and South America now have huge inland seas. Also, the size of what used to be Hudson Bay in North America (in Canada) has greatly increased.


6. Has the disappearance of the Mediterranean resulted in new mountain building?
Yes, the collision of Africa with Europe has resulted in new mountain building.


7. Describe the major changes to Africa.
Africa now has at least three major inland sea areas that were not there previously.


8. What has happened to Australia?
Much of Australia is now covered with water.


9. Has the shape of Antarctica changed greatly?
The shape of Antarctica is still largely unchanged.

150 Million Years in the Future

Click here and carefully examine the map to the right illustrating the projected shape of the Earth 150 million years in the future.

10. What has happened to the Atlantic Ocean?
The Atlantic Ocean has started to shrink and is close to disappearing.


11. What has happened to Central America?
Central America has disappeared as North and South America collide.


12. Has the shape of Antarctica changed?
Yes, the shape of Antarctica has started to undergo major changes.

200 Million Years in the Future

Click here and carefully examine the map to the right illustrating the projected shape of the Earth 200 million years in the future.

13. What has now happened to the North Atlantic Ocean?
The North Atlantic Ocean has now completely disappeared.


14. What has happened to Antarctica?
Antarctica has collided with the bottom of Africa.


15. Describe the overall configuration of the Earth's continents.
The Earth's continents have joined together to produce a new supercontinent. (The proposed name for this new projected supercontinent is Pangaea Ultima).

250 Million Years in the Future

Click here and carefully examine the map to the right illustrating the projected shape of the Earth 250 million years in the future.

16. The proposed name for the new supercontinent that is projected to form about 200 million years in the future is Pangaea Ultima. What is expected to happen to Pangaea Ultima 250 million years in the future?
Pangaea Ultima will start to slowly break up about 250 million years in the future. (Note: Although most of Pangaea Ultima will slowly start to drift apart, Asia and India will become more consolidated).