Scientists have discovered that the ancient supercontinent Gondwana was much larger than previously thought, covering about 80% of Earth’s land area 500 million years ago. This new understanding comes from analyzing over 25,000 volcanic rocks, revealing that parts of Asia, Europe, and North America were once connected to Gondwana. This massive size suggests that Gondwana played a crucial role in the Cambrian explosion, a period when many modern animal ancestors first appeared. The study, published in Science Advances, highlights how Gondwana’s size could have influenced sea levels, atmospheric conditions, and volcanic activity, all of which impacted early life on Earth. Researchers believe there may still be undiscovered parts of Gondwana, indicating that its true size might be even larger than currently estimated.
QUESTION: How might discovering more about ancient supercontinents like Gondwana change our understanding of Earth’s history and future?
New maps reveal hidden landscapes inside a prehistoric supercontinent
