The Origin of Species: Pangea

Regardless of your personal views on evolution vs

. creationism, an intriguing theory about the early days of the planet Earth is Pangea. This geological hypothesis proposes that the seven separate continents with which we are familiar were once a cluster of one giant continent.

Over time, the Earth's lithosphere, or outermost shell, began to drift as a result of the asthenosphere, or layer under the lithosphere, being weaker and more dense than the tectonic plates, or continents. The rotation of the Earth as well as gravity played a part in the drift as well. Once the plates were set in motion, volcanic activity and earthquakes began to form the vast landscapes that we see every day. Mountains were formed by the collision of plates. Think of a car wreck. When the two cars collide, it is possible that one car can overlap and meld with its colliding partner. In this analogy, the two cars represent the individual plates and their collision exemplifies the formation of alternate land masses.

Proof that Pangea existed is debated, but the theory has gained popularity since its initial proposal by Alfred Wegener in 1912. Fossil evidence backing up continental drift has been uncovered. Most notably, fossils of identical species have been found on continents that are currently incredibly far apart. For example, an extinct freshwater reptile named Mesosaurus has only been located in localized regions on the coasts of West Africa and Brazil. Whether the origin of species is a result of divine creation, intelligent design, or natural selection, is unknown and generates much debate. The original location of species, though, seems to be Pangea.

The Origin of Species: Pangea

By: Jonathan Parrish

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