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#supercontinent #mountains #geology #geosciences
The Nuna Supermountain was one of the most colossal geological features in Earth’s history, spanning an estimated 8,000 kilometers across the supercontinent Nuna nearly two billion years ago. This massive range formed as a result of continent-to-continent collisions, an immense tectonic event that forced entire sections of the Earth’s crust skyward. Unlike modern volcanic mountain chains that arise from subduction zones, Nuna’s mountains were built purely through the intense pressure of colliding landmasses, similar to the way the Himalayas are still forming today. But Nuna’s supermountain was likely far larger, rising to extreme altitudes that may have exceeded 10 kilometers, dominating the ancient landscape for tens of millions of years.

This lost mountain range played a critical role in shaping Earth’s environment and the evolution of life itself. As these massive peaks eroded, they unleashed enormous amounts of sediment, minerals, and bio-essential elements into the ancient oceans, sparking dramatic shifts in global chemistry. The weathering of the Nuna Supermountain contributed to the Great Oxidation Event, one of the most transformative periods in Earth’s history, when free oxygen began accumulating in the atmosphere. Before this event, oxygen was scarce, and life was limited to simple microbial forms. But as carbon was buried and nutrients like phosphorus were released into the oceans, cyanobacteria thrived, producing more oxygen and slowly altering Earth’s atmosphere into one capable of supporting complex life. Without the steady erosion of Nuna’s towering peaks, the conditions necessary for eukaryotic evolution—and eventually all plants, animals, and humans—may never have existed.

The geological legacy of the Nuna Supermountain still lingers today. Its breakdown supplied massive amounts of iron, gold, and other valuable minerals into sedimentary basins that would later become some of the richest ore deposits ever mined. The wealth of mineral resources that fueled modern economies can, in many cases, be traced back to the destruction of the Nuna Supermountain over hundreds of millions of years.

Despite its monumental influence on Earth’s history, the exact location and full extent of the Nuna Supermountain remain a mystery. Much of its original structure has been lost to time, buried beneath younger rock layers or altered by subsequent geological activity. Scientists have only been able to reconstruct its existence by studying clues left behind—zircon minerals from ancient sediments, metamorphosed rock formations, and geochemical signatures from what were once vast mountain belts. While its true scale may never be fully known, ongoing research continues to refine our understanding of this long-lost supermountain and the role it played in shaping the planet.

This video takes a deep dive into the incredible story of the Nuna Supermountain, from its formation during the assembly of Nuna to its erosion and lasting impact on Earth’s atmosphere, climate, and life. Discover how scientists piece together ancient geological puzzles, uncover evidence of supermountain-driven evolution, and connect the past to the present. The story of the Nuna Supermountain is one of power, transformation, and deep time, showing how Earth's most extreme forces have shaped the world we know today. If you're fascinated by ancient Earth, plate tectonics, and the hidden forces that drive our planet, this is an exploration you won’t want to miss.

Study Used To Construct This Video:
The temporal distribution of Earth's supermountains and their potential link to the rise of atmospheric oxygen and biological evolution:


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00:00-01:33 - The Nuna Supermountain
01:34-03:04 - Height & Length of The Supermountain
03:05-04:14 - The Erosion of The Nuna Supermountain, Life, & Oxygen
04:15-05:09 -The Scientific Challenge
05:10-06:41 - An Explosion of Oxygen & Life
06:42-07:09 - The Creation of Continental Shelves
07:10-07:43- The Creation of Gold & Base Metal Deposits
07:44-08:42 - The Profound Implications of the Supermountain
08:42-09:49 - Conclusion & Patreon / Youtube Member Thank You!

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