Australia, known as one of the most unique continents in the world, continues to shift. Scientists said that the mainland is moving much faster in the ocean than previously noted. In this regard, the end of the year will be adjusted navigation technologies.
Latest GPS corrections were made in 1994. According to the data obtained, the continent shifted to 4.9 ft. All continents on the planet are shifting due to tectonic plates that are continuously in motion. However, Australia is moving too fast.
Its velocity is about 2.7 inches per year. Australia has not only shifted to the North and rotates clockwise. Itself Pacific plate moves at a speed of 3 to 4 inches per year. The head of the Department of cartography at National Geographic Damien Saunder explained that the movement of the continents is very important to keep track of time because the OS time the coordinates may change.
If this is not done, the new maps may not be entirely accurate, and the old will cease to be relevant. As an example, Damien has led Alaska. Now, advanced GPS technology capable of tracking such changes with high precision. But in the case of Australia, they are experiencing the most difficulty.
They are associated with unique Geology, which is the mainland. Over the past 50 years, cartographers had four times to amend the designation of latitude and longitude Australia. In 1994, the adjustment amounted to 656 feet. Sounder added that another difficulty in determining the speed of Australia is that it is constantly changing.
“You need to understand that Australia does not have the shape of a perfect sphere or ellipsoid, so the speed of its displacement varies regularly. Therefore, adjustments should be made not only globally, but also at the local level”, — concluded Sounder.
We will remind, earlier Recensor talked about the fact that Australia is immersed in water.
