Laurasia

An interpretation of the early phase of separation of Laurasia and Gondwana.

Laurasia is the name given to an ancient landmass in the northern hemisphere that emerged towards the end of the first half of the Mesozoic from the breakup of the supercontinent Pangea, separating from Gondwana by the opening of the Tethys Sea. between 200 and 180 million years ago. Laurasia was later divided into Eurasia and North America.

Laurasia Concept

Laurasia was a large continental mass located in the northern hemisphere, which formed about 200 million years ago, composed of present-day North America and Eurasia (Europe and Asia). Until 200 million years ago, there was only one supercontinent called Pangea. Gradually, this supercontinent was fragmented in two, giving rise to Laurasia to the north and Gondwana to the south. Between the two the Tethys Sea was formed – it is believed that the Mediterranean Sea is what currently remains of this sea that divided Laurasia and Gondwana.

With the continuation of the movement of the tectonic plates (see the drift of the continents), Laurasia also began to fragment about 150 million years ago, giving rise to the continents that currently occupy the northern hemisphere.