Even while modern science knows a lot about the earth, our planet is undoubtedly skilled at keeping secrets. An island off the coast of Brazil that was previously poorly known has been found by scientists. However, things are evolving.
A team of scientists from the University of São Paulo (USP, Brazil) has examined the Rio Grande Rise (RGR), a potential continental plateau basalt that may have formed 1,200 kilometres off the coast of Brazil as a result of a massive volcanic eruption that covered the ocean bottom with basalt lava. It is even being referred to as "a lost continent" by others.
After ten years of investigation, researchers have finally found that the island's surface might be as large as Spain.
The Rio Grande Rise was closely monitored by the United Nations International Seabed Authority until recently, when it was regarded as an area of international waters (how I would not like to go for a drink with the person who organises that meeting).
Brazil has, however, asked for a border extension that would encompass the mineral-rich island and extend beyond the 200-mile limit.
Geologically speaking, we were able to determine that the clays were created between 30 and 40 million years ago, following the last known volcanic activity 45 million years ago. Additionally, he stated that it would have happened as a result of tropical conditions.