The North Atlantic craton once covered an area from modern-day Scotland to Labrador, Canada. The ancient continent formed part of Earth's continental crust before it was lost in the annals of time.

A team of geologists in Canada have now chanced upon the continent after analysing a sample of diamond rocks from Canada's Baffin Island.

The geologists were studying kimberlite rocks that have formed millions of years ago at depths of 90 to 248 miles (140 to 400 kilometres) below ground.

Kimberlite is brought to the surface by a mix of geological and chemical processes.

And sometimes, the kimberlites will carry diamonds with them.

READ MORE: Fossilised fish fingers reveal development of human hand