Changes

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

''Pangaea'' (Greek Spelling) or "Pangea" is the name given to the supercontinent believed to have existed during the [[Paleozoic]] and [[Mesozoic]] eras about 250 million years ago, before the process of plate tectonics separated Pangaea into the continents we have today. The Supercontinet Theory explain the apperant "puzzle piece fittings" of Major Continents today, as well as some of the major land marks through the  proven scientific method.

According to the uniformitarian time-scale, Pangea existed during the [[Paleozoic]] and [[Mesozoic]] eras about 250 million years ago, before the process of [[plate tectonics]] separated Pangaea into the continents we have today.

The name ''Pangea'' came from German Alfred Wegener, a chief proponent of the [[continental drift theory]], in 1920.

The Supercontinent Theory explain the apparent "puzzle piece fittings" of the major continents today.

The name ''Pangea'' came from German [[Alfred Wegener]], a chief proponent of the [[continental drift theory]], in 1920.

== The Break Up ==

== The Break Up ==

Some scientists theorize that Pangaea first began to break up in the Early-Middle [[Jurassic]], when Pangaea created a rift from the  

Some scientists theorize that Pangaea first began to break up in the Early-Middle [[Jurassic]], when Pangaea created a rift from the [[Tethys Ocean]] from the east and the [[Pacific]] from the west.

[[Tethys Ocean]] from the east and the [[Pacific]] from the west. The rifting took place between North America and Africa, the rift produced multiple failed rifts, Mississippi River being the largest. The rift resulted in a new ocean, which today we call the [[Atlantic]].

The rifting took place between North America and Africa, and produced multiple failed rifts, the Mississippi River being the largest.

The rift resulted in a new ocean, which today we call the [[Atlantic]].

The Second major division of the Pangea continent occurred 150 million years ago, when the minor supercontinent of ''Gondwana'' divied up into the its respective modern continents: [[South America]], [[Africa]] and [[India]]. Also, the continent of ''Cimmeria'' minor supercontinet collided with the ''Euraisa'', causing a [[subduction zone]] called ''Tethyan Trench''.  

According to the uniformitarian model, the second major division of the Pangea continent occurred 150 million years ago, when the minor supercontinent of ''Gondwana'' divided up into its respective modern continents: [[South America]], [[Africa]] and [[India]].

Also, the continent of ''Cimmeria'' collided with ''Eurasia'', causing a [[subduction zone]] called the ''Tethyan Trench''.

Also, during this time, [[Madagascar]], [[Australia]] and [[India separated]] from [[Antarctica]] and moved North. While [[Madagascar]] has since locked on the African Plate, [[India]] and [[Australia]] continue to move at about 5-6 cm a year.

At the same time, [[Madagascar]], [[Australia]] and [[India]] are thought to have separated from [[Antarctica]] and moved North.

While [[Madagascar]] has since locked on the African Plate, [[India]] and [[Australia]] continue to move at about 5-6 cm a year.

To see an animation of the ''Pangea Break Up'', click here: [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Pangea_animation_03.gif]

To see an animation of the ''Pangea Break Up'', click here: [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Pangea_animation_03.gif]