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How did Pangea affect global ocean currents?

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Permian paleogeography — Pangea Distribution of landmasses, mountainous regions, shallow seas, and deep ocean basins near the end of the Permian Period. Included in the paleogeographic reconstruction are the locations of the interval's subduction zones.

The formation of the supercontinent Pangea significantly altered global ocean circulation patterns, which in turn influenced Earth's climate and marine environments. As low-latitude seaways closed during the assembly of Pangea, warm surface ocean currents were deflected into higher latitudes, while cool-water upwelling developed along the supercontinent's west coast.1

The presence of Pangea also acted as a physical barrier that inhibited the circulation of cold polar waters into tropical regions. This isolation of equatorial waters, particularly within the Paleo-Tethys and Tethys basins, likely contributed to increased water temperatures in shallow habitats, potentially exceeding the tolerance limits of various marine organisms and contributing to mass extinction events.21

Conversely, the breakup of Pangea facilitated the mixing of warm and cold ocean waters as new channels opened between the fragmenting landmasses. This transition helped regulate global heat transport and contributed to changes in polar temperatures.23