The split between Africa and Gondwana occurred approximately 140 million years ago, marking the beginning of the Cretaceous period. This significant event in Earth’s history reshaped the continents as we know them today.
During this time, the supercontinent Gondwana, which consisted of Africa, South America, Antarctica, India, and Australasia, began to break apart. The process of continental drift caused the landmasses to slowly separate and drift apart over millions of years.
The breakup of Gondwana was a result of tectonic plate movements. The Earth’s lithosphere, the rigid outer layer of the planet, is divided into several large and small plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below. These plates interact with each other, leading to geological activities such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges.
In the case of the split between Africa and Gondwana, the movement occurred along a series of fault lines and fractures. The separation began with the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean, causing Africa to separate from South America. As the Atlantic Ocean expanded, the rift between the two continents widened, creating a new boundary.
Simultaneously, another rift formed between Africa and the combined landmass of India, Antarctica, and Australasia. This rift eventually led to the separation of Africa from these continents as well. Over time, the Indian subcontinent moved northward, eventually colliding with the Eurasian plate and forming the mighty Himalayan mountain range.
The process of continental breakup is not a sudden event but rather a gradual process that takes millions of years. It involves a series of geological activities such as the stretching and thinning of the lithosphere, the intrusion of magma into the rift zones, and the eventual formation of new oceanic crust.
Understanding the timing of these events is possible through various scientific techniques, including radiometric dating of rocks and fossils found in the continental fragments. These methods help geologists estimate the age of the rocks and provide valuable insights into the Earth’s past.
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