By the middle to late Jurasic, the size of this accreted landmass, called
"Greater New Zealand", was about half the size of Australia. This marks the
first time in New Zealand's history when it was no longer isolated, as well as
the first life to come to New Zealand (that we have proof of). Plants were the
first to make their way to the new land; amphibians, reptiles, and insects
followed suite as they could now migrate with ease onto the land.
The top map shows the orientation of continents in the Jurassic (180 million
years ago), and the one to the right is a closer view of New Zealand's location.
|
|
