92% of Earth Will Become Uninhabitable — But Spain Could Be One of the Last Places Standing

A Supercontinent Called Pangea Ultima

Scientists at the University of Bristol have published findings in Nature Geoscience identifying Spain as one of Earth's few habitable regions on a future supercontinent expected to form in 250 million years.

Through ongoing tectonic plate activity, Earth's landmasses will gradually consolidate into a single massive continent called Pangea Ultima. The Atlantic Ocean would close, bringing Europe, Africa and the Americas together — fundamentally altering global climate patterns and habitability.

92% of Land Uninhabitable

The study projects that a "triple whammy" of increased volcanic CO₂, a hotter sun and extreme continentality could render approximately 92% of Earth's landmass uninhabitable for mammals.

Interior regions of the supercontinent would experience temperatures exceeding 50°C, creating hostile desert conditions across vast areas. Without the moderating influence of nearby oceans, inland zones would become lethally hot.

Why Spain Survives

The Iberian Peninsula's projected northward drift positions it in a temperate zone unaffected by the worst extremes. While inland areas of the supercontinent lose oceanic climate moderation, Spain's coastal proximity and higher latitude provide relative protection.

In other words: Spain's geographic luck — the same coastline and climate that draws millions of tourists and expats today — could make it one of the last liveable places on the planet in the very distant future.

Important Context

Before you start congratulating yourself on your property investment, it's worth noting that these projections operate on timescales far exceeding human civilisation. Multiple alternative supercontinents could form with different climate outcomes, and the models contain inherent uncertainty.

Still, the research applies physics principles that are relevant to understanding current climate change — and it's a nice conversation starter for your next terrace dinner: "Did you know Spain might be one of the last places on Earth?"

This article is based on reporting from Euro Weekly News, published April 12, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only.