Pangea And The Supercontinents
Era Of The Supercontinents
Scientists estimate that Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old, give or take 50 million years. Due to the shifting of subterranean tectonic plates beneath us, Earth’s continental structure has changed drastically over this time. Around a billion years ago, the continents looked very different from the familiar seven-continent arrangement we know today, forming what we now know as Pangea (an approximate depiction is shown above). Here is some of the information we have been able to deduce on what is a truly ancient subject.
Pangea And Continental Drift
In 1912, German scientist Alfred Wegener proposed the continental drift theory. He hypothesised that Earth’s continents were once part of a single massive landmass, which he called Pangea. Over millions of years, this supercontinent gradually broke apart, forming the seven continents we recognise today.
Wegener had limited evidence to support his theory, but he noted that the coastlines of South America and Africa seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces. He also observed similar rock formations and fossils on these separate landmasses, suggesting a historical connection. Over time, more evidence emerged to support the theory of continental drift, including:
Seafloor Spreading
Paleomagnetism and variations in rock ages along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Fossils like Mesosaurus and Glossopteris found on multiple continents
Global distribution of Permo-Carboniferous glacial sediments
Continuity of mountain chains across continents
Today, scientists believe that Pangea was the last in a series of supercontinents that formed and broke apart throughout geological history, a process driven by subduction. The known supercontinents are:
The Supercontinents That Preceded Pangea
Kenorland (2.7–2.5 billion years ago) – formed by the collision of smaller continents, including areas that are now North America, Greenland, and parts of Asia and Africa.
Nuna/Columbia (1.6–1.4 billion years ago) – spanned regions that are now North America, South Africa, India, Australia, and parts of Antarctica.
Rodinia (950–800 million years ago) – considered the first precursor to the more famous Pangea.
Pannotia (620–580 million years ago) – included areas that are now South America, Arabia, Antarctica, Australia, and parts of Asia.
Pangea (325–175 million years ago) – combined North America, South America, Africa, Eurasia, India, Antarctica, and Australia in a giant jigsaw.
So, the real answer to “What did the continents look like millions of years ago?” really depends on just how many millions of years back in time you wish to go.
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