Scientists discover ancient tectonic plate that disappeared 20 million years ago

It is estimated that the Pontus plate formed part of the world’s crust before the break up of the supercontinent Pangaea but it got subducted beneath the earth over the last millions of years. Scientists believe this gravitational force came from a neighbouring plate. It has been christened Pontus plate because it was submerged under an ocean known as the Pontus Ocean at the time of its existence.