(CNN)​Under New Zealand, there lies a vast continent on the seafloor.

Once part of the same landmass as ​Antarctica​ and Australia, the lost continent of Zealandia
broke off 85 million years ago and eventually sank below the ocean, where it stayed largely
hidden for centuries.

Now, maps reveal new research about the underwater continent where dinosaurs once roamed
-- and allow the public to virtually explore it.

GNS Science, a New Zealand research institute, published two new maps and ​an interactive
website​ on Monday. The maps cover the shape of the ocean floor and Zealandia's tectonic
profile, which collectively helps tell the story of the continent's origins.
How the continent sank

The idea of a potential continent in this area has been around for some time, and the name
"Zealandia" was first coined by geophysicist Bruce Luyendyk in 1995.

The dedicated study of this area, stretching about 5 million square kilometers (about 1.93 million
square miles), has since determined it is not just a group of continental islands and fragments,
but a continental crust large and separate enough to be officially declared a separate continent.

Zealandia used to be part of Gondwana, the supercontinent that once held many of the
continents we know today, like Africa and South America.

About 85 million years ago, Zealandia split off from Gondwana. The drifting, shifting landmass,
about half the size of Australia, was home to dinosaurs and lush rainforest.
Abut 94% of Zealandia is now submerged underwater -- but some parts of the continent are still
above land, making up New Zealand and other small islands. The highest point of Zealandia is
Aoraki--Mount Cook at 3,724 meters (12,218 feet).

There is still much unknown about the continent and whether the discovery of Zealandia could
change historical climate models. As more research emerges, the interactive website and maps
will be updated to reflect what we know, said GNS Science.