🌍 When Continents Collided: How Earth's Continents Got Their Shape
Earth’s continents weren’t always where they are today. For over a billion years, they have drifted, collided, and reassembled into the shapes we recognize now — a process called continental drift. From ancient supercontinents like Rodinia to the famous Pangaea and even future projections, the story of Earth’s surface is fascinating!
📜 Supercontinent Timeline
🔄 Flip-Card Gallery: Meet the Supercontinents
The first known supercontinent. It may have triggered the global glaciation event known as Snowball Earth, covering much of the planet in ice.
A short-lived supercontinent that preceded the Cambrian Explosion, marking rapid diversification of life on Earth.
The famous supercontinent home to the dinosaurs. Its breakup led to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean and modern continents.
The northern part of Pangaea, comprising what is now North America, Europe, and Asia (excluding India).
The southern counterpart to Laurasia, including South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and India.
The massive combined continental landmass of Europe and Asia, formed as tectonic plates collided.
Scientists predict Earth’s continents may reunite near the North Pole forming a new supercontinent in 250 million years.
❓ FAQs
1. What causes continents to move?
Continents move due to the process called plate tectonics — the movement of Earth’s lithospheric plates floating on the molten mantle below.
2. How long does it take for a supercontinent to form?
It usually takes hundreds of millions of years for continents to come together and form a supercontinent.
3. What was the largest supercontinent?
Pangaea is considered the largest supercontinent, covering almost all Earth's landmass about 335 million years ago.
4. How fast do continents move?
About 2.5 cm (1 inch) per year, roughly the speed your fingernails grow.
