Part 5/10:
In 1995, American geophysicist Bruce Luyendyk made bold claims, proposing that the submerged continental crust surrounding New Zealand be recognized as Zealandia. As the debate gathered steam, particularly after legal changes by the UN regarding territorial claims and economic zones, scientific efforts intensified. Researchers strived to prove Zealandia’s potential greatness, both in size—substantial enough to qualify as a continent—and in geological significance.