Discovery of a long-lost part of Earth in Borneo

Experts have discovered ancient remnants of a tectonic plate, named Pontus, in Borneo, believed to be around 120 million years old. This significant finding emerged from the analysis of geological data by Suzanna van de Lagemaat, a graduate geologist at Utrecht University, and her supervisor, Douwe van Hinsbergen. Their research focused on rock formations in northern Borneo, where they identified clear signs of the previously unknown Pontus plate. The discovery was unexpected, as the researchers initially thought they were examining remnants of a known lost plate. However, magnetic lab research revealed that the rocks originated from a different location, indicating the presence of a new tectonic plate. This finding adds to the understanding of Earth's geological history and the movements of tectonic plates over millions of years. Pontus is estimated to have been a quarter of the size of the Pacific Ocean and existed beneath the ocean that separated Eurasia and Australia during the time of the supercontinent Pangaea. As Pangaea broke apart, the Pontus plate was absorbed by other tectonic plates, which eventually led to the current positions of countries like the Philippines and Borneo. Van de Lagemaat's research was conducted in a complex tectonic region known as the Junction Region, which includes areas between Japan, Borneo, the Philippines, New Guinea, and New Zealand. Her work not only sheds light on the ancient Pontus plate but also contributes to a broader understanding of tectonic movements from the age of dinosaurs to the present day.