Laurasia vs. Gondwana — What's the Difference?

The northern counterpart of Pangaea during the Mesozoic era.

A supercontinent forming the southern part of Pangaea.

A supercontinent that included North America, Europe, and Asia.

Characterized by its extensive biodiverse ecosystems.

Home to unique flora and fauna.

Diverse climates from equatorial to polar regions.

Studied for insights into continental drift.

Influential in shaping Earth's geological history.

Known for its diverse climatic conditions.

Central to the study of evolutionary biology.

Laurasia (), was the more northern of two large landmasses that formed part of the Pangaea supercontinent from around 335 to 175 million years ago (Mya), the other being Gondwana. It separated from Gondwana 215 to 175 Mya (beginning in the late Triassic period) during the breakup of Pangaea, drifting farther north after the split and finally broke apart with the opening of the North Atlantic Ocean c.

Gondwana ( ) or Gondwanaland was a supercontinent that existed from the Neoproterozoic (about 550 million years ago) and began to break up during the Jurassic (about 180 million years ago), with the final stages of breakup, including the opening of the Drake Passage separating South America and Antarctica occurring during the Paleogene. Gondwana was not considered a supercontinent by the earliest definition, since the landmasses of Baltica, Laurentia, and Siberia were separated from it.It was formed by the accretion of several cratons.

The supercontinent of the Northern Hemisphere that, according to the theory of plate tectonics, broke up into North America, Greenland, Europe, and Asia except for the Indian subcontinent.

The supercontinent of the Southern Hemisphere that, according to the theory of plate tectonics, broke up into India, Australia, Antarctica, Africa, and South America.

A hypothetical continent that (according to plate tectonic theory) broke up later into North America and Europe and Asia

Laurasia was the northern supercontinent that, along with Gondwana, made up the larger supercontinent Pangaea.

Gondwana consisted of modern-day South America, Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, India, Australia, and Antarctica.

Both existed from the Late Paleozoic to the Early Mesozoic eras.

Laurasia had varied climates from tropical to temperate, while Gondwana had a wider range, including tropical and glaciated landscapes.

They offer insights into how species evolved differently due to geographic isolation.

Yes, dinosaurs inhabited both supercontinents, showcasing a rich and varied prehistoric life.

Their formation and breakup are key examples of plate tectonics in action, demonstrating how continents move and change over time.

The separation of Laurasia and Gondwana led to isolated evolution, contributing to the distinct biodiversity of the northern and southern hemispheres.

The breakup was caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface.

Studying these supercontinents helps scientists understand continental drift, past climates, and evolutionary biology.

Geological, fossil, and climatic data provide evidence of these ancient landmasses.

Yes, the rearrangement of the continents affected ocean currents and atmospheric patterns, impacting the global climate.

The formation of new ocean basins and the positioning of continents altered global ocean currents, affecting climate and marine life.

Yes, the evolutionary lineage of many species can be traced back to their origins on either Laurasia or Gondwana.

Ongoing research has provided deeper insights into their geological history, climate, and the evolution of life on Earth.