supercontinent cycle

The supercontinent cycle describes the process by which Earth's continents have repeatedly assembled into large landmasses, only to break apart and re-form over hundreds of millions of years. These supercontinents, such as Pangaea, are defined as landmasses comprising at least 75 percent of Earth's continental crust.1

Geological models suggest this cycle is driven by convection currents within Earth's mantle. Throughout history, various supercontinents have formed and dispersed, including Vaalbara, Ur, Kenorland, Columbia, Rodinia, and Pangaea. The breakup of supercontinents like Pangaea and Gondwana led to the formation of the continents we know today. Scientists predict that current continents will eventually merge again into future supercontinents.12