Is Australia a Continent called Australia?

Goughy · 27-11-2011, 07:14 AM

If so is the land mass both a country and a continent and if so where does that leave places like New Zealand?

Terms like Australasia used to be used for the continent (and judging by some online arguments about this still are) but sources such as Wiki are clear that the continent is Australia and nothing else.

Interested in what people think, especially what is taught in Aus and NZ.

EDIT-- The Australian govt calls Aus a continent so that is good enough for me.
The Australian continent - australia.gov.au

BoyBrumby · 27-11-2011, 07:21 AM

Tasmania's ****ed then.

Flem274* · 27-11-2011, 12:43 PM

Australia and New Guinea are a single continent. New Zealand is the Zealandia continent, most of which resides below sea level.

As you can see, the two landmasses (New Guinea and Aussie) are connected, it's just the connection is below present sea level.

Zealandia also includes several island chains.

Below is the two side by side.

Burgey · 27-11-2011, 12:52 PM

WTF Flem? They're connected its just most of it is under water"?

That means everywhere is connected FFS.

Flem274* · 27-11-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burgey

WTF Flem? They're connected its just most of it is under water"?

That means everywhere is connected FFS.

Nope.

To be a continent, it has to be on continental crust. They aren't connected because there is oceanic crust between them.

Plate tectonics.

dontcloseyoureyes · 27-11-2011, 02:24 PM

Tectonics 101

Neil Pickup · 27-11-2011, 02:58 PM

Where does this leave Kiribati, then?

Or, come to think of it, Iceland?

Wouldn't it make Europe and Africa (and Asia) the same continent?

I think we have two very different definitions of continent here.

Smudge · 27-11-2011, 03:02 PM

Way to overanalyse things, Flem.

Prince EWS · 27-11-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flem274*

Nope.

To be a continent, it has to be on continental crust. They aren't connected because there is oceanic crust between them.

Plate tectonics.

So how many continents actually are there? I mean, you've just proven the seven I got taught in high school geography is wrong by at least one; it makes me think there are probably a couple of other technical inconsistencies with that..

cpr · 27-11-2011, 04:02 PM

Cheers Flem, now we just need the Mathematicians to come in and prove to us all that 1+1=3, then we can all feel like uneducated oafs

Burgey · 27-11-2011, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flem274*

Nope.

To be a continent, it has to be on continental crust. They aren't connected because there is oceanic crust between them.

Plate tectonics.

It depends on your perspective.From a geological perspective I don't doubt you are right. I think you have a lot of talent in being pedantic though.

Burgey · 27-11-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil Pickup

Where does this leave Kiribati, then?

Or, come to think of it, Iceland?

Wouldn't it make Europe and Africa (and Asia) the same continent?

I think we have two very different definitions of continent here.

Yeah we do. It seems to be a clash between the geographic and geological definitions. Though we can all agree Flem fits the definition of a nitpicking ****

Pothas · 27-11-2011, 05:02 PM

Zealandia! Sure that was not in Avatar or something?

Flem274* · 27-11-2011, 08:03 PM

Fine ****s, I'll answer it in normal terms; Australia is it's own continent called Australia, and New Zealand is an archipelago of islands.

As I understand it, Australia and NZ grouped together is called Australasia and the entire region (so those two plus the islands etc) are Oceania. They are just geographic labels of the general region though.

GAGF the lot of ya.

Flem274* · 27-11-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil Pickup

Where does this leave Kiribati, then?

Or, come to think of it, Iceland?

Wouldn't it make Europe and Africa (and Asia) the same continent?

I think we have two very different definitions of continent here.

Geologically, Europe and Africa are both different continents as well. They are on a divergent plate boundary, so they're actually moving apart.

27-11-2011, 07:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Goughy International Coach Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: All Over Posts: 14,638	Is Australia a Continent called Australia? If so is the land mass both a country and a continent and if so where does that leave places like New Zealand? Terms like Australasia used to be used for the continent (and judging by some online arguments about this still are) but sources such as Wiki are clear that the continent is Australia and nothing else. Interested in what people think, especially what is taught in Aus and NZ. EDIT-- The Australian govt calls Aus a continent so that is good enough for me. The Australian continent - australia.gov.au __________________ If I only just posted the above post, please wait 5 mins before replying as there is bound to be edits West Robham Rabid Wolves Caedere lemma quod eat lemma Happy Birthday! (easier than using Birthday threads) Email and MSN- Goughy at cricketmail dot net Last edited by Goughy; 27-11-2011 at 07:17 AM.

27-11-2011, 07:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
BoyBrumby Englishman Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Doing the stance Posts: 42,629	Tasmania's **ed then. __________________ - As featured in The Independent.** "This is not the time for namby-pamby promising youngsters who might just do something; not the time for building for the future. Pragmatism rules and they don't come more pragmatic than Rogers." - Victor Marks makes the case for stiff-legged and stiff-armed 35 year old left-handers in Ashes squads

27-11-2011, 12:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Burgey Cricket Web Staff Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Castle Posts: 35,138	WTF Flem? They're connected its just most of it is under water"? That means everywhere is connected FFS. __________________ WWCC - Loyaulte Mi Lie "People make me happy.. not places.. people" "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." - Samuel Johnson "Oh my God, there's a castle! A castle!"

27-11-2011, 02:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
dontcloseyoureyes BARNES OUT Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: WILDCARD, BITCHES Posts: 27,714	Tectonics 101 __________________ The one, the only CW Black Code: 47.3 W Coppinger to Heads Smacked the ball straight into the groin of Iwuajoku who has fallen over, miraculously with the ball still caught in his scrotal area! Out! TO OUR FOREFATHERS

27-11-2011, 02:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Neil Pickup Cricket Web Staff Member / Global Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Oxford, England Posts: 26,361	Where does this leave Kiribati, then? Or, come to think of it, Iceland? Wouldn't it make Europe and Africa (and Asia) the same continent? I think we have two very different definitions of continent here. __________________ MSN Messenger: minardineil2000 at hotmail dot com \| AAAS Chairman CricketWeb Black \| CricketWeb XI Captain ClarkeWatch: We're Watching Rikki - Are You? Up The Grecians - Exeter City FC Completing the Square: My Cricket Web Blog

27-11-2011, 03:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
Smudge Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Wellywood Posts: 16,552	Way to overanalyse things, Flem. __________________ What do you mean?

27-11-2011, 05:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
Pothas Cricketer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Surbiton, UK Posts: 8,470	Zealandia! Sure that was not in Avatar or something?

27-11-2011, 08:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
Flem274* Cricket Web: All-Time Legend Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jeets' sheets Posts: 23,371	Fine ****s, I'll answer it in normal terms; Australia is it's own continent called Australia, and New Zealand is an archipelago of islands. As I understand it, Australia and NZ grouped together is called Australasia and the entire region (so those two plus the islands etc) are Oceania. They are just geographic labels of the general region though. GAGF the lot of ya.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Oldest Test Team?	chaminda_00	Cricket Chat	18	13-09-2006 10:01 PM