Continental drift, the gradual movement of Earth’s continents over geological time, is a process that has been happening for hundreds of millions of years and continues today. Here are some key periods when major shifts occurred:
1. Formation of Pangaea (~335 to 175 million years ago)
• Around 335 million years ago, during the late Paleozoic era, Earth’s continents came together to form a supercontinent called Pangaea. This landmass existed for about 160 million years, with all continents joined as a single entity.
2. Breakup of Pangaea (~175 million years ago)
• The breakup of Pangaea began in the Jurassic period, about 175 million years ago. This event marked the beginning of the separation of continents as they began drifting to their current positions. This breakup led to two large landmasses:
• Laurasia (in the northern hemisphere), which included North America, Europe, and Asia
• Gondwana (in the southern hemisphere), which included South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and the Indian subcontinent.
3. Further Separation and Movement (~100 to 50 million years ago)
• During the Cretaceous period, approximately 100 million years ago, Laurasia and Gondwana continued to break apart, forming the continents more recognizable today. The Atlantic Ocean opened up as North America and Europe separated, and Africa began moving northward toward Eurasia.
• By around 50 million years ago, during the Eocene epoch, the Indian subcontinent had collided with Asia, initiating the formation of the Himalayas.
4. Present-Day Configuration and Ongoing Drift (Today)
• The continents are still moving at a rate of a few centimeters per year due to tectonic activity. For example, the Atlantic Ocean continues to widen as North America and Europe move further apart, while the Pacific Ocean is shrinking. Africa is slowly moving toward Europe, and Australia is moving north toward Asia.
These movements, driven by tectonic plate activity, continue to shape Earth’s geography and are responsible for the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and other geological events.
