Supercomputer Simulation Predicts Earth Could Become Largely Uninhabitable in 250 Million Years
BRISTOL, UK – A new climate simulation, run by researchers at the University of Bristol, paints a stark picture of Earth’s distant future: the formation of a supercontinent dubbed “Pangea Ultima” could render the planet almost uninhabitable for mammals, including humans, in approximately 250 million years. The findings, published in Nature, detail a future characterized by scorching temperatures and widespread drought.
The simulation predicts that Pangea Ultima, formed by the eventual convergence of today’s continents, would experience average temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius (104-122 Fahrenheit), wiht daily peaks soaring even higher. This extreme heat would be compounded by increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, driven by more frequent volcanic activity and a more luminous sun.
“This combination of factors would create a virtually unlivable surroundings for humans and other mammals,” explains Alexander Farnsworth, principal investigator of the study. “the ability of these species to regulate their body temperature through sweating would be compromised, making survival almost impossible in the face of extreme heat and humidity.”
While the predicted timeframe is far in the future,researchers emphasize the urgency of addressing current climate change. The study serves as a chilling reminder that the consequences of unchecked global warming could mirror the conditions projected for Pangea Ultima, but on a drastically accelerated timescale.
Co-author Eunice Lo stresses the need to meet net-zero emissions targets. “The already observable effects of global warming,such as extreme heat waves,have a direct impact on human health and biodiversity,” she stated.
A recent UN report echoes this warning, highlighting that without important reductions in global warming, billions of people and countless species will struggle to adapt. Benjamin Mills, another co-author, points out that even halting fossil fuel use immediately wouldn’t prevent CO2 levels from potentially doubling from current levels if effective mitigation strategies aren’t implemented.
The University of Bristol team’s simulation, though focused on a geological timescale, underscores the critical importance of immediate climate action. The prospect of a future Earth hostile to life as we certainly know it reinforces the need for sustained and decisive efforts to preserve habitable conditions on the planet.
