Pangaea is the name given to the supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, about 335 to 175 million years ago. The concept of Pangaea was first proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912, based on the evidence of fossil and rock formations, as well as the fit of the continents.
Pangaea formed through the process of continental drift, where the Earth's continents slowly moved and shifted over time. This movement was driven by the process of plate tectonics, where the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below.
Several lines of evidence support the existence of Pangaea, including the fit of the continents, similar rock formations and mountain ranges across continents, distribution of fossils, and glacial evidence. For instance, the fossil remains of the ancient reptile Mesosaurus have been found in both South America and Africa, suggesting that these continents were once connected.
Pangaea began to break apart during the Mesozoic era, leading to the formation of the modern continents. The breakup of Pangaea resulted in the formation of the Atlantic Ocean and the opening of other ocean basins. This process continues today, as the continents are still slowly moving due to plate tectonics.