Pannotia Proxima

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Pannotia Proxima is a possible future supercontinent configuration. Consistent with the supercontinent, it assumes the closure of the Atlantic, Indian, and Southern Oceans. In the Pannotia Proxima scenario, subduction at the East and West Atlantic expands, subduction of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, following subduction destroying the Atlantic and Southern Basins, causing both the Atlantic and Southern Oceans to close. It is expected to have a different cool climate. The interior of Pannotia Proxima would be semi-arid desert and snow on the south.

The supercontinent is expected to be centred at the South Pole surrounded by the Propanthalassic Ocean with a central Ocean formed by splitting of Africa.

Formation

The Atlantic and Southern Oceans will continue to widen until new subduction zones form, bringing the Americas back to Africa and Eurasia and forming a future Pannotia. Most continents and microcontinents will collide with Eurasia just like they did when post continents collided with Laurentia.

Continuing on current movements for the next 100 million years, North America is predicted to shift west and Eurasia shift southeast, bringing Great Britain close to the North Pole and Siberia South towards warm, subtropical latitudes. Africa is expected to split into two, forming the worlds 6th Ocean, replacing the Indian Ocean. Another ocean will be forming from North and middle Eurasia, closing the Indian Ocean. Africa collides with Eurasia, closing the Mediterranean Sea. Forming a mountain range. Australia is expected to continue moving north until colliding with southeast Asia, forming another potential mountain range.

About 100 million years from now, the Atlantic Ocean is predicted to stop widening because seafloor spreading gives way to subduction. The Southern Ocean is also predicted to be smaller due to northward subduction of oceanic crust. The Americas drift south then northeast, colliding with Africa, forming a new rift that forms a new Mediterranean Sea, causing Africa to drift south. Australia starts to collide with Antarctica.

300 Million Years from now, the Atlantic and Southern Ocean is predicted to be closed with only a small remnant of the former oceans remaining. All continents are expected to collide with Antarctica.

References

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