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Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed about 335 million years ago and began to break apart around 175 million years ago, eventually forming the continents we recognize today. Evidence for Pangaea's existence includes the fit of the Coastlines of continents, similar rock formations and mountain ranges across continents, and the distribution of fossils of the same species on different continents.
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What forms of science were used to help gather evidence for the existence of Pangaea?
Geology, paleontology, and paleoclimatology were used to gather evidence for the existence of Pangaea. These sciences helped researchers study the geological formations, fossil records, and ancient climate patterns across different continents to reconstruct the supercontinent Pangaea.
What evidence that supports the existence of pangaea?
Evidence supporting the existence of Pangaea includes the jigsaw-like fit of the continents, similarities in rock types and mountain ranges across continents, fossil evidence of similar species found on different continents, and glacial striations that align when continents are pieced back together. Additionally, scientists have used paleomagnetic data and plate tectonics theory to further support the theory of Pangaea's existence.
Who is the scientist who first proposed the existence of Pangaea and Panthalassa.?
Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist and geophysicist, first proposed the theory of Pangaea and Panthalassa in the early 20th century. He suggested that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea, surrounded by a single large ocean known as Panthalassa.
What rock types support the therory of pangaea?
The distribution of similar rock types across continents that were once part of Pangaea, such as the Appalachian mountains in North America aligning with the Caledonian mountains in Europe and North Africa, supports the theory of Pangaea. Additionally, identical fossils, coal deposits, and rock formations found on different continents provide further evidence for the existence of the supercontinent Pangaea.
How can paleomagnetic data be used to support the conclusions of not only the existence of Pangaea but also when pangaea existed?
Paleomagnetic data from rocks on different continents can be used to reconstruct the positions of those continents in the past. By comparing the magnetic orientations recorded in the rocks with known patterns of the Earth's magnetic field through time, scientists can determine the past positions of the continents. This can support the existence of Pangaea and help determine when it existed by showing how the continents moved relative to each other.
