Pangaea

Definition

Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, approximately 335 to 175 million years ago. This massive landmass included almost all of the Earth's continental crust and significantly impacted global climate, ocean currents, and biological evolution during its existence and after its breakup. Pangaea is crucial for understanding the continental drift hypothesis, which describes how continents have moved over geological time, forming the layout we see today.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pangaea was formed through the collision of several smaller landmasses and was surrounded by a global ocean known as Panthalassa.
2. The breakup of Pangaea began during the Jurassic period and led to the formation of modern continents, influencing ocean circulation patterns and climate.
3. Fossil evidence supports Pangaea's existence, with similar species found on continents that are now widely separated, indicating they were once connected.
4. The concept of Pangaea was first popularized by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century as part of his continental drift hypothesis.
5. Pangaea's existence significantly influenced biological diversity and evolution as organisms adapted to new environments formed by its eventual fragmentation.

Review Questions

• How did Pangaea's formation impact global climate and ocean currents during its existence?
  • Pangaea's formation created a vast landmass that altered atmospheric circulation patterns and ocean currents. The supercontinent's size limited the movement of warm ocean waters, leading to changes in climate across different regions. This alteration impacted biodiversity as organisms adapted to new environmental conditions created by the changing climate.
• Evaluate the evidence supporting the continental drift hypothesis as it relates to Pangaea.
  • Evidence supporting the continental drift hypothesis includes geological similarities across continents, such as mountain ranges and rock formations that align when mapped together. Additionally, fossil records show identical species found on separate continents, suggesting these landmasses were once connected as part of Pangaea. The distribution of similar plant and animal fossils across these regions provides compelling evidence for past continental connections.
• Assess the long-term ecological consequences of Pangaea's breakup on current biodiversity.
  • The breakup of Pangaea had significant long-term ecological consequences that shaped current biodiversity. As continents drifted apart, they created isolated environments where species evolved independently, leading to unique adaptations and high levels of endemism. This process contributed to the rich diversity of life we see today, but also resulted in extinctions when habitats changed or species could not adapt quickly enough to their new environments.

Related terms

Plate Tectonics: The scientific theory that explains the movement of the Earth's lithosphere, consisting of tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere, shaping the planet's surface.

Continental Drift: The gradual movement of continents across the Earth's surface over geological time, primarily driven by tectonic processes.

Gondwana: An ancient supercontinent that existed before Pangaea, comprising landmasses that are now part of South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and the Indian subcontinent.