Australia is constantly evolving, not just in terms of events and developments across the country but also in a more literal sense. The continent is gradually shifting northward at a steady rate of approximately seven centimeters per year, making it the fastest-moving continent on the planet. If this movement continues, Australia will eventually collide with Southeast Asia. However, there is no immediate cause for concern, as this event is projected to take place in the very distant future.
Although Australia is the smallest continent, it is considered the oldest, with portions of its crust dating back an estimated 4.4 billion years. Unlike other continents, Australia has remained geologically stable for hundreds of millions of years, meaning it has not undergone dramatic tectonic shifts. Despite this stability, the continent is still drifting at a faster rate than any other landmass. By comparison, Antarctica and Africa move northward at a much slower pace of 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters per year, while both North and South America shift westward at a rate of two to four centimeters annually.
Australia’s movement is driven by the shifting of the Indo-Australian tectonic plate, the massive plate on which the continent rests. Like all tectonic plates, it is influenced by convection currents within the Earth’s mantle and the pressure exerted by the Indian Ocean Ridge, a vast underwater mountain range. These forces work together to propel Australia forward at an unmatched speed.
While seven centimeters per year may seem insignificant, it is enough to impact Australia’s geographic positioning and GPS coordinates. In 2016, discrepancies in coordinates led to Australia being approximately 1.5 meters off from its actual location. This inaccuracy prompted a significant update on January 1, 2017, when the country’s entire GPS system was adjusted 1.8 meters northward. This was the first major update since 1994. Although such discrepancies have little impact on everyday navigation using Google Maps, precise positioning will become increasingly critical with the advancement of technologies such as self-driving cars.
But what about the possibility of Australia colliding with Asia? While this scenario is theoretically possible, it remains far beyond the scope of the present or even the near future. At its current rate of movement, Australia will not reach Asia for hundreds of millions of years. So, there is no need for concern—at least not in our lifetimes.
