Pangea

Pangea is the name given to a large supercontinent that scientists estimate existed until the end of the Paleozoic and the beginning of the Mesozoic. It consisted mostly of the land masses of the Earth pushed together, surrounded by a large ocean called Panthalassa.

The concept of Pangea is based on the theory of plate tectonics, which holds that the Earth's crust consists of large plates that move systematically. The continents visible today are the result of Pangea's breakup after it began to fragment significantly.

History of the Theory

German scientist Alfred Wegener developed the theory of continental drift in the early twentieth century, using the term Pangea. Wegener observed that the coastlines of South America and Africa fit together like puzzle pieces, and that identical fossils are found on continents now far apart. Initially, many scientists rejected his theory because he could not explain the force that moved the continents.

In the middle of the twentieth century, research conducted on the ocean floor—particularly paleomagnetic analysis of rocks and evidence of seafloor spreading—supported the theory. This led to the acceptance of plate tectonics theory, making Pangea part of standard explanations in historical geography.

Structure and Fragmentation

Based on reconstruction, Pangea is divided into two large parts: Laurasia, located in the north (originally North America, Europe, and most of Asia) and Gondwana, located in the south (South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and India). Between them lay a sea called Tethys.

The fragmentation began during the Jurassic period, as rifts created new oceans, particularly the Atlantic. The process took place over tens of millions of years and continues today—the continents still move several centimeters each year.