Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 11: Problem 19

What was Pangaea? What happened to it during the past 225 million years?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed around 335 to 175 million years ago. Over the past 225 million years, the tectonic plates under Pangaea have moved, causing the supercontinent to fragment and the continents to drift apart to their current locations.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Pangea

Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, approximately 335 million to 175 million years ago. It was surrounded by a single global sea called Panthalassa. All the continents we know today were once part of this supercontinent.
02

Understanding Plate Tectonics Theory

The Plate Tectonics Theory explains how the Earth's outer shell, the lithosphere, is divided into several large and minor pieces referred to as tectonic plates. These plates are constantly moving, albeit very slowly, due to the movement of the semi-fluid layer underneath called the asthenosphere.
03

Pangaea Disintegration

Around 225 million years ago, Pangaea started to break apart. The movement of the tectonic plates led to the fragmentation of the supercontinent. The continents started to drift away from each other due to the movement of these plates, eventually forming the current arrangement of continents.
04

Present Day

Today, the continents are still moving due to these tectonic forces. The drifting of the continents away from each other is still happening and will continue to change the face of the Earth in the future.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Briefly review the history of the theory of continental drift, sea-floor spreading, and the all-inclusive plate tectonics theory. What was Alfred Wegener's role?

Define the endogenic and the exogenic systems. Describe the driving forces that energize these systems.

How does Earth generate its magnetic field? Is the magnetic field constant, or does it change? Explain the implications of your answer.

What is the relation between plate boundaries and volcanic and earthquake activity?

Characterize felsic and mafic minerals. Give examples of both coarse- and fine-grained textures.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Geography Textbooks

Global Resource Management

Read Explanation

Dynamic Landscapes

Read Explanation

Globalisation

Read Explanation

Sustainable Urban Development

Read Explanation

Superpowers of the World

Read Explanation

Migration and Identity

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free