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Australia has had to change its location on maps over the years due to shifting tectonic plates. The country is located in the southern hemisphere and is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. Australia is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania. Legends of Terra Australis Incognita, or unknown land of the South, date back to Roman times. The continent was believed to balance out the northern hemisphere. The name Australia was popularised by explorer Matthew Flinders, who preferred it to the more commonly used Terra Australis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for change | Shifting tectonic plates |
| Impact | Minor changes can cause issues for GPS systems |
| Previous change | In 1994, the adjustment was 200 meters |
| Upcoming change | 1.5 meters, expected to be accurate to within an inch |
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What You'll Learn
Tectonic plates shift, causing Australia to move on maps
The continent of Australia has shifted noticeably over time, causing its position on maps to be altered. This phenomenon is due to the movement of tectonic plates, which are massive chunks of earth that "glide" over the viscous upper part of the mantle, known as subduction. The Australian tectonic plate is the fastest-moving continental plate on Earth, travelling about 7 centimetres (2.7 to 2.8 inches) northward and slightly eastward every year. This rate of movement is almost three times faster than the plate on which the US is positioned, which only travels around 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) annually.
The Australian plate's rapid shift has had noticeable impacts on GPS systems and maps. In 1994, the adjustment required was a significant 200 metres, enough to cause deliveries to be sent to the wrong address. More recently, the changes have resulted in a need to revamp all of Australia's coordinates to avoid further discrepancies. Scientists planned to implement these changes by January 2017, with the goal of having the country's mapped coordinates align with the rest of the planet by 2020.
The Australian plate's swift movement is believed to have resulted from the forces acting at opposite sides of the plate, working in the same direction to propel it faster. This contrasts with other plates, where forces may act in opposing directions, resulting in slower or more variable rates of motion. The movement of the Australian plate has broader implications beyond mapping, as the pressure between it and the Pacific Plate continues to build, increasing the likelihood of earthquakes.
The impact of tectonic plate movement on mapping and navigation systems highlights the dynamic nature of our planet's geology. While the Australian plate's shift has been particularly notable, all continents are in motion, floating on tectonic plates that move at varying speeds. This ongoing geological process, known as plate tectonics, is driven by a combination of factors, including convection currents within the mantle and other yet-to-be-fully-understood mechanisms. As a result, the position of landmasses is not static, and maps and models of the Earth need to be periodically revised to reflect these changes accurately.
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Australia's name change from Terra Australis
The name Australia is derived from the centuries-old geographical myth of Terra Australis, a hypothetical continent proposed in antiquity and appearing on maps from the 15th to 18th centuries. The theory behind the existence of Terra Australis was based on the idea of balancing northern lands with southern ones. The continent was believed to be a vast land in the southern hemisphere, called 'Terra Australis Incognita' or 'Unknown South Land' in Latin.
The name Australia was first used by the famous cartographer Gerard Mercator in 1538 on what is known as a double cordiform map. On this map, Mercator appears to apply the term 'Australia' to all the climata in the southern hemisphere. The phrase "climata australia" is seen in the top right corner of the map. The word 'Australia' was used as it was the inflection of the word 'austral' in Latin, where the endings of adjectives agree with the nouns they describe. Thus, 'australia' agrees with the neuter plural ending of 'climata'.
The name Terra Australis was commonly used for the continent that is now known as Australia, and it was used in the published account of explorer Matthew Flinders' journey around Australia in 1814. Flinders, however, preferred the name Australia and used it on a hand-drawn map in 1804. The name Australia gradually gained popularity, and by 1824, the British Admiralty started to officially use it. The name 'Commonwealth of Australia' for the nation of six federated colonies was formalised in the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 preamble section 3, passed by the UK Parliament.
If not for the mistaken identification of Terra Australis with the continent of Australia, the name Australia would have been given to the continent of Antarctica, and Australia would have been known as New Holland.
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The country's marine geography, including the Great Barrier Reef
Australia is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. It is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania. It is geographically positioned in the Southern and Eastern hemispheres of the Earth. Australia's mainland can be divided into three physiographic divisions: the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. The Eastern Highlands, also known as the Great Dividing Range, run parallel to the east coast of Australia, from the northeastern tip of Queensland to the central part of Victoria. The Central Lowlands, which lie between the Eastern Highlands and the Western Plateau, consist of the Murray-Darling Basin and the Great Artesian Basin. The Murray River, Australia's longest river, flows through this region. The Western Plateau covers about 70% of the country's landmass and includes expansive deserts such as the Great Victoria Desert and the Gibson Desert.
Australia has over 8,000 islands within its territory. Tasmania, located 240 km south of the mainland, is the largest. Other notable islands include Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island, and Kangaroo Island, known for its diverse wildlife.
The Great Barrier Reef, located off the northeast coast of Queensland, is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 km. It was first sighted by James Cook in 1770, who sailed and mapped the east coast of Australia. The reef was later named by Matthew Flinders, following his detailed mapping of it in 1802. The Great Barrier Reef contains the world's largest collection of coral reefs, with 360-400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish, 4,000-5,000 types of molluscs, and 175-240 species of birds. It is also home to threatened species such as the dugong and the large green turtle.
The reef is a popular tourist destination, especially in the Whitsunday Islands and Cairns regions, generating over AUD$3 billion per year. However, it faces environmental pressures such as human-made pollutants, climate change, coral bleaching, and the dumping of dredging sludge. A 2020 study found that over half of the reef's coral cover had been lost between 1995 and 2017. To protect the reef, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park has been established, helping to limit the impact of human activities such as fishing and tourism.
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The continent's size shrank as exploration occurred
The idea of a continent in the Southern Hemisphere to balance out the landmass in the Northern Hemisphere has been around since the 5th century. The hypothetical continent was referred to by various names, including Terra Australis, Terra Australis Incognita, and Brasiliae Australis. Terra Australis, meaning "southern land," appeared on maps from the 15th to 18th centuries and shrank in size as exploration occurred and potential locations were reinterpreted.
The continent included Tierra del Fuego, New Guinea, and what would later be called Australia. In 1643, a Dutch expedition intended to sail through the Le Maire Strait but was blown off course, entering the Pacific Ocean south of the island. This disproved earlier beliefs that it was part of Terra Australis.
The name "Australia" stems from this centuries-old geographical myth. The term "Australia" was used by cartographers in the 16th century to refer to the climata in the southern hemisphere. The country was also referred to as "Australia" by the Dutch, who established the Australische Compagnie (Australian Company) in 1615 to trade with Terra Australis.
In addition to the shrinking of the continent of Terra Australis as exploration occurred, Australia has also had to change its location on maps due to shifting tectonic plates. These adjustments can impact GPS systems, causing issues for industries such as mining that rely on precise coordinates for autonomous vehicles.
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Australia's position between the Indian and Pacific Oceans
Australia is bounded by two major bodies of water: the Indian Ocean to the west and the South Pacific Ocean to the east. The country is completely surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans and a series of bays, gulfs, seas and straits. Australia is separated from Papua New Guinea by the Coral Sea and Torres Strait to the northeast; from Indonesia by the Timor and Arafura seas to the northwest; from Coral Sea Islands Territory by the Great Barrier Reef; from New Zealand by the Tasman Sea to the southeast; and from Antarctica by the Indian Ocean to the south.
Australia is the smallest continent and the largest country in Oceania. It is geographically positioned in the Southern and Eastern hemispheres of the Earth. As the world's sixth-largest country, Australia covers a total area of about 7,741,220 km2 (around 2.99 million mi2). The country does not share land borders with any other nation. Instead, it is relatively close to Indonesia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the French dependency of New Caledonia to the east, and New Zealand to the southeast.
Australia's mainland is divisible into three principal physiographic divisions: the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. The Eastern Highlands, often referred to as the Great Dividing Range, run parallel to the east coast of Australia, from the northeastern tip of Queensland, through New South Wales, and into the central part of Victoria. The Central Lowlands, lying between the Eastern Highlands and the Western Plateau, consist of the Murray-Darling Basin and the Great Artesian Basin. The Murray River, Australia's longest river at 2,508 kilometers (1,558 miles), flows through this region. The Western Plateau, covering almost 70% of the country's landmass, includes expansive deserts such as the Great Victoria Desert, the Gibson Desert, and the Simpson Desert.
Australia's position in the Indian and Pacific Oceans has had strategic implications for the country. The country has a significant coastline along the Indian Ocean, and this region is essential to Australia's security and prosperity. Australia has sought to strengthen its engagement with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and has hosted conferences such as the Indian Ocean Conference in 2024, reflecting its commitment to the entire ocean region. However, Australia's approach to the Indian Ocean has been a subject of debate, with some arguing for a more comprehensive strategic outlook that encompasses the wider region.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has had to change its location on maps because tectonic plates keep shifting, which can cause problems for GPS systems.
Tectonic plates are large slabs of solid rock that make up the crust of the Earth and float on top of the mantle, which is a layer of semi-solid magma.
Australia's location on the map changes every few years. In 1994, the adjustment was 200 meters, and in 2016, the change was a few centimeters. The next adjustment is due at the end of the year and will be about 1.5 meters.
