The supercontinent Pangaea began to break apart around 200 million years ago, during the early Jurassic period—but the process was slow, complex, and multi-phased, continuing for tens of millions of years.
Here’s a breakdown of the key phases of the split:
I. Formation of Pangaea: (~335 million years ago)
- Pangaea formed during the late Paleozoic era, as earlier continents (Laurasia, Gondwana) collided.
- It reached its maximum size around 250–230 million years ago (late Permian to early Triassic).
- It was surrounded by a vast global ocean called Panthalassa.
II. Initial Breakup Begins: (~200 million years ago)
Early Jurassic (201–174 mya):
- First major rift opens between what would become North America and Africa.
- This rifting created the early Atlantic Ocean.
III. Middle Phases of Breakup: (~180–130 million years ago)
Mid-Jurassic to Early Cretaceous:
- Gondwana (southern half) starts to fragment:
- Africa separates from South America,
- India separates from Antarctica and Australia,
- Madagascar splits from Africa.
- The Tethys Ocean expands between the northern and southern continents.
IV. Final Stages of Breakup: (~100–50 million years ago)
Late Cretaceous to Early Cenozoic:
- South Atlantic Ocean fully opens.
- India drifts north rapidly and collides with Asia (~50 mya), forming the Himalayas.
- Australia separates from Antarctica (~45 mya) and begins drifting toward Southeast Asia.
- North America separates from Europe (Greenland rift).
V. Ongoing Drift (Today)
- The continents are still moving due to plate tectonics.
- The Atlantic Ocean is widening, while the Pacific is shrinking.
- A new supercontinent may form in the next 200–300 million years (e.g., “Pangaea Proxima” or “Amasia”).
Summary Table: Phases of Pangaea’s Breakup
|
Time (mya) |
Event |
|
~200 |
North America splits from Africa (Atlantic forms) |
|
~180 - 150 |
Gondwana fragments: Africa, South America, India drift |
|
~130 - 100 |
Full opening of South Atlantic; India moves north |
|
~80 - 50 |
India - Asia collision; Australia - Antarctic split |
|
Present |
Continents still drifting apart or colliding |
Would you like a series of paleogeographic maps showing the breakup through time, or a speculative look at future supercontinent formation?
