Pangaea

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Pangaea
The ancient supercontinent
Introduction
Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras. It united most of Earths landmasses into one vast continent. Understanding Pangaea helps explain geological phenomena like continental drift and the evolution of Earths climate and ecosystems.
Pangaea Formation
01
Geological timeline
Pangaea formed approximately 335 million years ago during the late Carboniferous period. It reached its peak size in the Permian. This period marked a significant reorganization of Earths landmasses, which shaped global climate patterns and biological evolution.
Plate tectonics
The assembly of Pangaea resulted from the movement of tectonic plates colliding and fusing continental fragments. This process involved subduction zones, continental collisions, and mountain-building events, which are key components in modern geologys understanding of Earths dynamics.
Supercontinent cycle
The supercontinent cycle refers to the periodic assembly and breakup of Earths landmasses over hundreds of millions of years. Pangaea represents the most recent major supercontinent in this cycle. Understanding it reveals patterns of tectonic activity, mountain formation, and ocean basin development that shape Earths geological history.
Pangaea Breakup
02
Continental drift
Pangaea began to break apart around 175 million years ago due to continental drift, driven by tectonic plate movements. The fragmentation formed the Atlantic Ocean and initiated the formation of todays continents, influencing global geography and ecosystems.
Major rift zones
The breakup initiated along several major rift zones, including the Central Atlantic Rift and the East African Rift. These zones represent places where the Earth’s crust thinned and split, leading to the separation of landmasses and new ocean basin development.
Impact on climate and life
The separation of Pangaea drastically changed ocean currents and atmospheric circulation patterns, altering global climates. This shift contributed to the diversification of species by creating isolated environments and new ecological niches, profoundly influencing evolution.
Conclusions
Pangaeas formation and breakup are central to understanding Earths geological and biological history. The processes of plate tectonics and continental drift have continuously reshaped the planets surface, affecting climate, ecosystems, and the evolution of life through profound geological cycles.
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