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In 1912, German scientist Alfred Wegener introduced a theory he named continental drift. According to his theory, our planet’s continents once formed a single, colossal landmass called Pangaea.
Alfred Wegener thought this continental drift explained why the edges of South America and Africa looked like matching puzzle parts. He also showed similar rock structures and fossils on these two landmasses as evidence to back his continental drift theory. Then Pangea landmass slowly broke apart, finally forming the continents as they are today.
The data set below visualizes extension velocities at Earth’s major post-Pangea rift systems. Each circle depicts the rift velocity of one passive margin point in terms of circle color and size. The geologic time and the layout can be changed at the top of the screen.
Firstly, plate tectonics scientific theory hadn’t become popular until the 1960s. But as more data appeared over the years, including seafloor research, the tectonic theory began to gain traction.
So, according to modern plate tectonic scientific theory, our planet’s surface is made up of plates of rock that are slowly moving. Because of this continuous journey, nowadays’s Earth looks a lot distinctive from what it did millions of years ago.
According to the tectonic theory, the cycles of splitting apart and coming together occur because of subduction, which happens when tectonic plates meet with one another.
Now, it’s considered that Pangea was just one of many supercontinents to mass together and broke apart throughout geological history.
The Supercontinent Cycles: Kenorland: 2.7-2.5 billion years ago Nuna/Columbia: 1.6-1.4 billion years ago Rodinia: 950–800 million years ago Pannotia: 620-580 million years ago Pangea: 325-175 million years ago
The interactive map below shows these supercontinent cycles through 1 billion years of tectonic plate movement in 40 Seconds.
