Earth & Geology

The Ground Beneath Your Feet Is Moving — Faster Than You'd Expect

Fact 1 of 264%

Australia is racing toward the equator faster than any other continent.

The Australian plate is moving north rapidly.

Australia is currently drifting north at a speed of seven centimeters every year. This movement is so rapid that GPS coordinates must be adjusted periodically to maintain accuracy.

"The continent has moved 1.5 meters since 1994."

This tectonic sprint means the continent is literally shifting its position on the global map faster than your fingernails grow.

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