"Pangea" is a term used to describe a supercontinent that is believed to have existed millions of years ago. The word "Pangea" originates from the ancient Greek words "pan" meaning "all" and "gaia" meaning "earth". It refers to the idea that all continents were once connected as one massive landmass before gradually breaking apart and shifting to their current positions.
The theory of Pangea was first proposed by German scientist Alfred Wegener in 1912. He noticed that the coastlines of South America and Africa seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces, leading him to suggest that they were once joined. His theory was further supported by the similarities in rock formations, fossils, and mountain ranges found on both continents.
According to the theory of Pangea, around 335 million years ago, all the continents were united into a single landmass. Over time, this ancient supercontinent started to divide, leading to the formation of the present-day continents. The process, known as continental drift, occurred due to the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface.
It took millions of years for the continents to break apart and drift to their current locations. The breakup of Pangea gave rise to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as the different land formations we see on Earth today. The concept of Pangea is crucial in understanding Earth's geological history and provides valuable insights into the formation and evolution of continents over time.