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Late Palaeozoic to early Mesozoic evolution of Pangaea

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Abstract

Several possible configurations of the Pangaea supercontinent have been suggested for the interval from late Carboniferous to early Triassic. Here we re-examine the palaeomagnetic basis for these models, emphasizing the trends of the paths of apparent polar wander for the individual components of the supercontinent rather than simply averaging poles of presumed similar age. Two of the alternatives, Pangaea B and C, may result from averaging poles of dissimilar age along common polar wander paths, giving rise to spurious tectonic displacements. The most likely model appears to be the formation, in late Devonian time, of a modified Pangaea (A2) followed by evolution to the traditional configuration (A) during the Triassic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ, UK

    R. A. Livermore & A. G. Smith

  2. School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

    F. J. Vine

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  1. R. A. Livermore
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  2. A. G. Smith
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  3. F. J. Vine
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Livermore, R., Smith, A. & Vine, F. Late Palaeozoic to early Mesozoic evolution of Pangaea. Nature 322, 162–165 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/322162a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/322162a0

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