The theory of Laurasia Gondwana is also known as the theory of two continents. As the name implies, this theory discusses the two continents that make up the surface of the Earth.
Planet which we live in of course has several parts. Starting from the core layer of the Earth, the crust, and the outermost layer that we live in.
Each layer is also not present just like that. The layer of the crust that is where life changes from time to time.
What’s in Laurasia Gondwana’s Theory?
Earth is the only planet in semesta that has life in it. Various theories about the Earth conspiracy have emerged for a long time.
The theory of the formation of the Earth and its layers is still a mystery. We all know that the Earth will not necessarily take the form it is today.
Therefore, there are several theories regarding the process of formation of the Earth’s outer layer. The theory of two continents is one of many other theories.
Eduard Zuess and Frank B Taylor were the first to put forward the theory of two continents. They introduced this theory in general in 1884.
In this theory, they argue that long before the formation of the Earth’s landmass as it is today, initially there were two large continents, namely Laurasia and Gondwana which formed the layers of the Earth.
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The continent of Laurasia is in the Northern Hemisphere, while Gondwana itself is located in the Southern Hemisphere. The two continents are separated by the Tethys Ocean.
Over time, the two continents slowly moved toward the equator. This movement eventually made them split into the small continents we know today.
History of the Laurasia Continent
The first continent in Laurasia Gondwana’s theory is referred to as a large landmass in the hemisphere that includes North America, Europe, and Asia (except the Asian peninsula).
The existence of the Laurasia continent was first proposed by Alexander Du Toit. He is a geologist from South Africa.
Du Toit explained about this continent in his book entitled Our Wandering Continents (1938). Du Toit theorized that there were two large landmasses, Laurasia in the north and Gondwana in the south.
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The two continents are separated by an ocean called Tethys. According to estimates, Laurasia was fragmented into continental Europe, Asia, and North America around 66 million to 30 million years ago. The time interval includes the end of the Cretaceous period and most of the Paleogene period.
History of Gondwana Continent
Gondwana is the second continent after Laurasia in theory. Another name for this continent is Gondwanaland which is an ancient super continent.
According to estimates, Gondwana is a continent that connects present-day South America, Africa, Madagascar, India, Australia, Antarctica, and Arabia.
The development of Gondwana in the Laurasia Gondwana theory occurred in the late Precambrian, about 600 million years ago.
The first stage of the separation of Gondwana was in the early Jurassic period. That was when the dinosaurs began to appear, to be precise about 180 million years ago.
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Austrian geologist Eduard Suess is the man behind the name Gondwanaland. The name refers to the Upper Paleozoic and Mesozoic formations in the Gondwana region of Central India. The formation is very similar to the age in the southern hemisphere continents.
Split About 175 Years Ago
Since earlier we discussed the two continents as the initial formation of the Earth’s plates. However, what does continent really mean?
The continent is a very large landmass. Laurasia Gondwana’s theory explains that the Earth’s plate originally consisted of only two large landmasses called continents.
The continents of Laurasia and Gondwana were now separated into their configuration. Many scientists believe that all the land on Earth began to be cut off 175 years ago.
The things that affect the separation process are none other than Earth Rotation. The rotation that makes the two great ancient continents separate at the equator and the western hemisphere.
The theory of the two continents is only one of the theories of the formation of the Earth’s crust. No one has ever seen firsthand the process of its formation.
Therefore, existing theories are very helpful in uncovering facts millions of years ago. Laurasia Gondwana’s theory at least helps explain how the evolution of land on the Earth’s surface. (R10 / HR-Online / Editor-Ndu)
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