What will the Earth look like 250 million years from now? A recent climate simulation offers a striking—and deeply unsettling—answer. According to new research, all present-day continents may eventually merge into a single vast supercontinent, dramatically reshaping the planet’s geography and climate. However, this future world could prove hostile, even uninhabitable, for most mammals.
The study, conducted by researchers at University of Bristol and published in the prestigious journal Nature, paints a stark picture of Earth’s distant future. Scientists warn that extreme heat, widespread drought, and shrinking habitable zones could severely threaten the survival of complex life.
One of the most significant projected changes involves the gradual closure of the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the slow but persistent movement of tectonic plates, Europe and Africa are expected to collide, eliminating the Mediterranean Sea entirely. In this scenario, countries such as Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia would become physically connected to France, forming a continuous landmass. Without nearby oceans to moderate temperatures, regions that are currently temperate could experience intense and prolonged heatwaves.
Climate models suggest that the interior of this supercontinent would endure temperatures exceeding 40°C for extended periods each year. According to scientist Alexander Farnsworth, much of this land would become too hot and arid to support large mammals. The natural cooling mechanism of sweating, crucial for human survival, would become ineffective under such extreme conditions. Even shaded areas would offer little relief, leading to potentially catastrophic consequences for most mammalian species.
Below is a summary of the projected environmental transformations:
| Category | Projected Outcome |
|---|---|
| Continental structure | Formation of a single supercontinent |
| Major oceans | Atlantic disappears; Mediterranean vanishes |
| Temperature levels | Sustained periods above 40°C |
| Climate conditions | Extremely hot and dry |
| Habitability | Severely restricted to limited regions |
| Biodiversity impact | High risk of mammalian extinction |
The formation of this supercontinent would also trigger intense geological activity. Large-scale volcanic eruptions and the creation of extensive rift systems would release vast amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This would significantly intensify the greenhouse effect, further accelerating global warming. Compounding the issue, the Sun is expected to become approximately 2.5% brighter over this timescale, adding another layer of thermal stress.
While the interior regions of the supercontinent may become vast deserts and heat zones, some coastal and high-latitude areas could remain comparatively cooler. Parts of what is now northern France, Britain, and Portugal might fall within these marginally habitable zones. However, regions located far inland would suffer from extreme dryness, as moisture from the oceans would dissipate long before reaching them. As a result, water scarcity would make life exceedingly rare in these areas.
Despite these projections, researchers acknowledge the inherent uncertainty in forecasting conditions so far into the future. Even minor variations in tectonic activity could significantly alter the eventual configuration of continents and climate systems. Nevertheless, the study serves as a powerful reminder of the dynamic nature of Earth—and the fragile balance that currently sustains life.