Scientists learn about Earth’s past supercontinent by studying evidence in rocks and minerals. By examining age, composition, magnetic properties, and other characteristics, researchers can piece together evidence to determine how long supercontinents have been around.
By using computer modeling and theories of plate tectonics, scientists can map out how Earth’s landmasses may have once appeared (Source). Researchers also rely on evidence from fossils to determine how landmasses once fit together along continental shelves.
The ancient supercontinent of Earth – Lemuria
This video explores the idea of a lost continent called Lemuria, which was once believed to connect Asia, Africa, and Madagascar. The theory was first proposed in the 19th century by a British zoologist named Philip Slater, who believed that lemurs originated in Madagascar and spread to other continents via a land bridge.
At the time, geologists were trying to figure out how the rocks on Earth were put together, so the idea of a lost continent wasn’t crazy. In more recent times, however, the idea of Lemuria has been picked up and moved out of science and into the occult. According to the video, the idea of Lemuria lasted into the 20th century, until modern theories of plate tectonics came to the fore.
The video concludes by stating that there are still generations of Earth’s long lost supercontinents waiting to be discovered.
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What Did Pangaea Look like?
Let us explore what the supercontinent Pangaea looked like during the Triassic-Jurassic period, between 100 and 230 million years ago. Pangaea formed 335 million years ago and broke up 175 million years ago.
At that time, the Appalachian Mountains, the Little Atlas Mountains, and the Scottish Highlands formed a single continuous mountain range called the Central Pangaea, which separated the continent between the two remnants of the older supercontinent, Gondwana and Laurasia. Other mountain ranges, such as the Laurentian Mountains, the Guiana Shield, and the Andes, were just beginning to form (Source).
Also, the Panthalassa Ocean covered most of the world, and the Tethys Ocean was beginning to form. The video emphasizes that the presentation is based on available knowledge and may not be completely accurate.
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The world before Plate Tectonics
Earth’s geological history, particularly the period known as the Boring Billion, occurred between 1.8 billion and 800 million years ago. During this period, the Earth’s climate was stable and geologically quiet, without the modern version of plate tectonics, but this allowed for the formation of a supercontinent and the gradual cooling of the mantle.
Geologists have found evidence of plate movement during the late Archean, about 2.78 billion years ago, although it did not work in the same way as modern plate tectonics.
The video discusses the microbial life that existed during this time, particularly in the ocean, which was low in oxygen but high in sulfur. Prokaryotes, especially archaea and cyanobacteria, thrived in this environment.
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Boring Billion
The Boring Billion is a period in Earth’s history between 1.8 and 0.8 billion years ago during which there was a relative lack of significant geological, biological, or climatic events. However, during this time, eukaryotes may have emerged and diversified into various life forms, including plants, animals, and fungi (Source).
Because of the relative lack of change or upheaval during this period, it is sometimes referred to as the “boring billion”. Despite the adverse conditions, the emergence of eukaryotes was a major milestone in the evolution of life on Earth.
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In conclusion
The study of Earth’s supercontinents is essential to understanding the planet’s geological history and the evolution of life. By studying the evidence left behind by shifting tectonic plates, such as rocks, minerals, and fossils, scientists can piece together how landmasses may have once formed.
The videos presented in this post show the supercontinents of Lemuria and Pangaea and what they may have looked like during their respective eras. In addition, despite its relatively uneventful history, the Boring Billion Period laid the foundation for modern plate tectonics and the emergence of eukaryotes, a major milestone in the evolution of life. As new technologies and research methods emerge, there are still generations of Earth’s lost supercontinents waiting to be discovered.
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