First-Ever Supercomputer Simulation Predicts The Countdown To Human Extinction On Earth

A lot of people are aware of what's likely to happen to our Earth — it's expected to be swallowed up by the Sun in about 7.5 billion years.

This makes you wonder, how long will humanity last before we face our inevitable extinction?

Aside from the self-inflicted threats like nuclear war, climate change remains one of the most significant long-term dangers to our planet as we know it.

However, even as we witness the effects of climate change today, some might ask how long it will be before climate change completely wipes out humanity.

The most probable fate of our Earth is absorption by the Sun in around 7.5 billion years. Pixabay

With this question at the forefront, researchers utilized a supercomputer to analyze a range of data.

They examined Earth’s climate, tectonic plates, ocean chemistry, and biology to determine when humans might no longer be able to live on our planet.

Fortunately, that time is still quite a distance away.

Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered that the world will change drastically from what we see today.

Because of the movement of tectonic plates, continents will shift around and eventually form a new supercontinent known as Pangea Ultima.

Getty Images

Dr. Alexander Farnsworth explained: 

"The newly-emerged supercontinent would effectively create a triple whammy, comprising the continentality effect, hotter sun and more CO2 in the atmosphere, of increasing heat for much of the planet.

"The result is a mostly hostile environment devoid of food and water sources for mammals.

"Widespread temperatures of between 40 to 50 degrees Celsius, and even greater daily extremes, compounded by high levels of humidity would ultimately seal our fate.

"Humans - along with many other species - would expire due to their inability to shed this heat through sweat, cooling their bodies."

The research team found that the world would look vastly different to how it is now. Pixabay

When this supercontinent forms, only about eight to 16 percent of the land would remain suitable for mammals.

Humans would find it extremely challenging to adapt to these new, extreme climate conditions.

Volcanoes would erupt more frequently, and we'd also face a brighter, more intense sun.

However, there’s no need to panic yet, as this doomsday scenario is not expected to occur for another 250 million years.

The researchers behind the study think this should serve as a wake-up call for humanity to tackle climate change.

Getty Images

Dr. Eunice Lo, a co-author of the study, stressed the importance of the current situation:

"It is vitally important not to lose sight of our current Climate Crisis, which is a result of human emissions of greenhouse gases.

"While we are predicting an uninhabitable planet in 250 million years, today we are already experiencing extreme heat that is detrimental to human health.

"This is why it is crucial to reach net-zero emissions as soon as possible."