Rajni Pandey | November 4, 2024
A report by Dr. Alexander Farnsworth, a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, predicts humans and mammals may face extinction millions of years from now due to extreme climate conditions on a future supercontinent.
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The study, published in Nature Geoscience, explains that Earth’s continents are expected to merge into one massive landmass, called Pangea Ultima, dramatically altering Earth’s climate.
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With most land isolated from oceanic cooling, this supercontinent will experience extreme inland temperatures and arid conditions, creating hostile living environments.
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Over time, the sun will emit more energy, amplifying global warming and raising Earth’s temperatures to levels dangerous for most life.
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Increased tectonic activity will release large amounts of CO2 from volcanoes, trapping more heat and worsening climate extremes, according to the report.
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Future temperatures of 40–50°C (104–122°F) and high humidity would exceed human and mammalian heat tolerance, making survival impossible.
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The report suggests that only 8-16% of Pangea Ultima would remain livable, with resources scarce, leading to critical survival challenges for mammals.
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Despite their adaptability, mammals—including humans—will struggle in extreme heat, unable to evolve quickly enough to avoid extinction.
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While this scenario is millions of years away, the study stresses the importance of climate action today to protect Earth’s habitability for future generations.
Image Credit: Freepik