Pangaea - The Supercontinent

Introduction to Pangaea
 Definition: Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early
Mesozoic eras, approximately 335 to 175 million years ago.
 Origin of the Term: The term "Pangaea" was coined by Alfred Wegener in 1912, derived
from the Greek words "pan" (meaning "all") and "gaea" (meaning "Earth").
 Concept: Pangaea is central to the theory of continental drift, which proposes that Earth's
continents were once joined together in a single landmass before gradually drifting apart
over millions of years.

Formation of Pangaea
 Continental Drift: The theory of continental drift suggests that Earth's lithosphere (the rigid
outer layer) is divided into several large and small tectonic plates that move relative to each
other.
 Alfred Wegener's Hypothesis: Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift,
suggesting that continents were once part of a single supercontinent called Pangaea. He
argued that the continents had drifted apart due to the movement of tectonic plates.
 Evidence for Continental Drift: Wegener supported his hypothesis with evidence such as the
fit of continents' coastlines, matching geological features across continents, and the
distribution of fossils and ancient climates.

Breakup of Pangaea
 Mesozoic Era: Pangaea began to break apart during the early Mesozoic era, around 200
million years ago.
 Rifting: The breakup of Pangaea was initiated by the process of rifting, where the
lithosphere stretched and fractured, leading to the formation of new ocean basins.
 Formation of Laurasia and Gondwana: The breakup of Pangaea resulted in the formation of
two major landmasses: Laurasia in the Northern Hemisphere and Gondwana in the Southern
Hemisphere.

Legacy of Pangaea
 Modern Continents: The breakup of Pangaea ultimately led to the formation of the
continents as we know them today.
 Geological Features: Many geological features, such as mountain ranges and sedimentary
basins, bear evidence of Pangaea's existence and subsequent breakup.
 Biological Evolution: The separation of continents facilitated the divergence of species and
influenced patterns of biological evolution. It also allowed for the exchange of flora and
fauna between previously isolated landmasses.

Conclusion
 Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic
eras.
 The theory of continental drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener, provides insights into
Pangaea's formation and breakup.
 The legacy of Pangaea is evident in the geological features, biological evolution, and modern
continents of Earth.