As a geologist with a focus on historical continental drift, I can provide a detailed account of when and how the supercontinent Pangea began to break up. The breakup of Pangea is a significant event in Earth's geological history, marking the transition from a single massive landmass to the continents we know today.
Pangea, the most recent of a series of supercontinents, is a subject of great interest to scientists. It was formed through a process known as continental drift, where tectonic plates move slowly over geological time. The formation of Pangea is estimated to have occurred around 270 million years ago during the late Carboniferous period. At its peak, Pangea encompassed nearly all of Earth's continental landmass into a single entity.
The breakup of Pangea was a gradual process that spanned millions of years. It is believed to have **began approximately 200 million years ago** during the Triassic period. This process was driven by the same forces that had initially brought the continents together: mantle convection currents beneath the Earth's crust. As the mantle currents shifted, they exerted forces on the tectonic plates, causing them to move apart.
The initial stages of Pangea's breakup saw the formation of two major landmasses: Laurasia to the north, which would eventually become North America, Europe, and Asia, and Gondwana to the south, comprising Africa, South America, Australia, the Indian subcontinent, and Antarctica. The Atlantic Ocean began to form as these landmasses started to drift apart.
Over the subsequent millions of years, the continents continued to move, influenced by the forces of plate tectonics. The breakup of Pangea led to the creation of the modern continents and the oceans as we recognize them today. This process is still ongoing, with the continents continuing to move, albeit at a pace so slow that it is not perceptible over human lifetimes.
The study of Pangea's breakup is crucial for understanding the geological and biological changes that occurred during this time. It provides insights into how the positions of the continents affect global climate patterns, the distribution of species, and the formation of natural resources. Furthermore, the study of Pangea's breakup contributes to our understanding of the processes that continue to shape our planet.
In conclusion, the breakup of Pangea was a pivotal moment in Earth's history, initiating the formation of the continents and oceans as we know them. It is a complex process that took place over millions of years and is still continuing in a dynamic and ever-changing geological landscape.

read more >>

Pangaea begins to break up. Pangaea (sometimes spelled Pangea), the most recent of a series of supercontinents on Earth, formed about 270 million years ago and broke apart about 200 million years ago.read more >>