What supercontinent did Wegener name that he believed existed before current continents?

Study for the Aquatic Science Plate Tectonics Test. Explore comprehensive flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each accompanied by insights and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Wegener proposed the existence of a supercontinent called Pangaea, which he believed existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, approximately 335 million to 175 million years ago. The name Pangaea translates to "all lands," reflecting Wegener's theory that this massive landmass contained all of the Earth's continents fused together. He supported his hypothesis with various lines of evidence, including the fit of the continents, fossil correlations across continents, and similarities in rock formations and ancient climates.

The concept of Pangaea is fundamental to the theory of continental drift, which posits that continents have not always been in their current positions but rather moved over geological time due to tectonic activity. This idea laid the groundwork for modern plate tectonics, which explains the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates.

Other options, while they refer to significant landmasses or concepts in geology, do not accurately represent Wegener's supercontinent theory. Gondwana refers to a different ancient supercontinent primarily present in the Southern Hemisphere, while Laurasia was the northern part of the split landmass that formed after Pangaea began to break apart. Atlantis, often tied to mythology, does not have a basis in geological science related

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