Tech
A supercomputer puts a date on human extinction, and scientists propose solutions to looming threats
A supercomputer has detailed how the human species could become extinct in the future.
Although the extinction of human life on Earth may seem like the stuff of science fiction, it is a frighteningly likely scenario. A recent study by the University of Bristol, which used a supercomputer to develop detailed predictive models, puts a date on how long we have left on the planet: about 250 million years. According to the simulations, the movement of tectonic plates would create a single supercontinent called Pangaea Ultima, where extreme temperatures and frequent volcanic activity could make the Earth uninhabitable for mammals. Faced with this grim prediction, scientists have proposed possible solutions for the survival of our species: from biological adaptations to advanced technology that would allow us to survive in such a hostile environment... or flee the planet.
The hell of the future: the threat of Pangea Ultima and how humanity can survive the tectonic and climatic catastrophe
A team of scientists from the University of Bristol has carried out a study that is as fascinating as it is worrying: through advanced simulations carried out on a supercomputer, they have been able to predict the future of the planet in 250 million years. This study, based on the dynamics of tectonic plates and their interactions, suggests the formation of a new supercontinent known as Pangea Ultima. This geological event, which will occur due to the continuous displacement of tectonic plates, will involve a series of natural catastrophes unprecedented in the history of our planet, including intense seismic movements, constant tremors and devastating earthquakes. The creation of this single supercontinent would not only change the physiognomy of the Earth, but also drastically alter the conditions of life on the planet, leading to the collapse of entire ecosystems.
The formation of Pangea Ultima would create an extremely hostile scenario for life, especially in the regions farthest from the coast. According to the supercomputer simulation, most of the Earth would be covered by a vast expanse of land, separated from the oceans, causing extreme temperatures. In addition, the lack of oceans to moderate the climate in the surrounding areas would cause the interior of the supercontinent to become gigantic, rocky, searing deserts where temperatures would exceed 50°C, creating a virtually unbearable environment for terrestrial life.
The impact of Pangea Ultima on life would not be limited to temperature extremes. The simulation also predicts a massive increase in volcanic activity due to the collision of tectonic plates. Scientists suggest that this would release large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere, intensifying global warming and making life on Earth even more unsustainable. This phenomenon would contribute to the triple threat that threatens the survival of mammals, including humans: extreme temperatures, an atmosphere saturated with toxic gases, and a sun 2.5% brighter than today’s, causing temperatures to rise even further. Mammals, including humans, would have serious difficulty surviving because their ability to regulate body temperature would be overwhelmed by the extreme conditions.
Against this bleak backdrop, the scientists in the study have proposed several hypothetical solutions for dealing with the threat posed by both Pangaea Ultima and its inevitable formation. Some of the most viable solutions include radical biological adaptations that could arise naturally as part of an evolution of the human species, such as the development of thicker skin or more efficient sweat glands. In addition, advanced technology could offer a way out, suggesting the possibility of building subway cities to protect humanity from the infernal heat. There is also the possibility that we humans will have already made a mass exodus from Earth by then, colonizing other planets where, through new technologies and knowledge such as terraforming, climatic and environmental conditions could be modified to make them more favorable for human life. Although these proposals seem far from reality in the current context, they offer a fascinating vision of how humanity might adapt to such an unpredictable future.
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