Did the entire New Zealand land mass sink beneath the waves 23 million years ago? Many biologists reject the idea and insist that our native terrestrial fauna can be explained only by the continuous existence of land. But many geologists are now asserting that there is no longer any convincing geological evidence that the New Zealand section of Zealandia remained above the sea’s surface. But if Zealandia did sink completely beneath the waves 23 million years ago – where did our distinctive ancient flora and fauna such as the tuatara and our tree ferns come from? This BWB Text is a provocative treatment of the ‘Drowning Zealandia’ scientific controversy by geologist Hamish Campbell.
In Search of Ancient New Zealand is terrific . . . richly and enticingly illustrated, detailed without being overwhelming, intelligent but understandable, always diverting, it deserves to be widely read.' - Warren Judd, New Zealand Geographic New Zealand is one of the most dynamic landscapes in the world. The evidence is everywhere: soaring mountains, fiery volcanoes, grand fiords, brawling rivers and spectacular lakes. Plants and animals known nowhere else in the world have evolved over millions of years in splendid isolation. How did this happen? What processes brought about such momentous transformations? The bestselling In Search of Ancient New Zealand reveals startling new information about this country's natural history: New Zealand is actually part of the 'lost' continent of Zealandia, a landmass almost half the size of Australia. Most of New Zealand's plants and animals are not remnants from Gondwanaland 83 million years ago but have arrived much more recently. Contrary to accepted theory, New Zealand may have been completely submerged under the sea 23 million years ago. If New Zealand was completely under water, where did the unique kiwi, kakapo, kokako and other special animals come from? A number of native land mammals used to dwell in New Zealand, whereas today there are only two species left - both bats. Why did these mammals disappear? Co-written by geologist Dr Hamish Campbell and award-winning author Gerard Hutching, this revised edition updates recent developments in the Zealandia drowning controversy. '[A] significant book . . . a valuable introduction to the history of New Zealand.' - Howard Williams, Weekend Press
*Best Books of 2014* New Zealand Listener Imagine a typical continent with seemingly endless land in all directions. There are broad valleys and uplands, wide-open vistas across undulating plains, and upstanding mountain ranges far in the distance. There may be prominent features that command attention and draw the eye, such as odd-shaped hills, peaks, pinnacles, mesas and volcanoes. And there may be canyons, valleys, gorges, large depressions and basins. Now imagine this same continent under the sea, and largely drowned. Welcome to Zealandia. Continents are some of Planet Earth's most striking geographic and geological features. To have a continental identity is to be important, significant, recognised. This book makes a compelling claim for Zealandia to take its place alongside Eurasia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia and Antarctica. Zealandia is a continent almost entirely submerged. With New Zealand as its largest inhabited land mass, it stretches north to incorporate New Caledonia, south beyond Auckland and Campbell islands, west beyond Australia's Lord Howe Island and east past the Chathams. Its ancestry reaches back more than half a billion years - a long, complex and dramatic story of growth, stretching, break-up, submergence, immersion and collision. The story of its cargo of plant and animal life is also one of change - of extinction, adaption and migration. A big book full of big ideas, and brought to you by renowned GNS scientists Hamish Campbell (co-author of In Search of Ancient New Zealand) and Nick Mortimer, Zealandia: Our Continent Revealed is in every respect a landmark publication - thought-provoking, visually stunning and eminently readable. 'I couldn't resist this superbly illustrated and persuasively written voyage through the distant past. It's fascinating stuff that will undoubtedly generate considerable debate.' - Christopher Moore, New Zealand Listener
This handy reference guide will help you recognize and make sense of common (and some rare) rocks and minerals found on beaches and hillsides, in streams and elsewhere around the country.
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