A continent is a large geographical region defined by the continental shelves and the cultures on the continent. [1] In the modern day, there are seven continents. However, there have been more continents throughout history. Vaalbara was the first supercontinent. [2] Europe is the newest continent. [3] Geologists have predicted that certain continents will appear, these being Pangaea Proxima, Novopangaea, Aurica, and Amasia.
Name | Era | Time before present | Image | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vaalbara | Eoarchean | 3.6-2.7 Ga | ![]() | [2] |
Ur | Paleoarchean | 3.1 Ga | ![]() | [4] |
Kenorland | Neoarchean | 2.7 Ga | ![]() | [5] |
Arctica | Neoarchean | 2.565 Ga | ![]() | [6] |
Columbia | Paleoproterozoic | 2.1-1.5 Ga | ![]() | [7] |
Atlantica | Paleoproterozoic | 2.0 Ga | ![]() | [8] |
Nena | Paleoproterozoic | 1.9 Ga | [9] | |
Baltica | Paleoproterozoic | 1.8 Ga | ![]() | [10] |
Rodinia | Neoproterozoic | 1100-633 Ma | [11] | |
Avalonia | Neoproterozoic | 750 Ma | ![]() | [12] |
Pannotia | Neoproterozoic | 500-600 Ma | ![]() | [13] |
Pampia | Neoproterozoic | 555-515 Ma | [11] | |
Gondwana | Neoproterozoic | 550 Ma | ![]() | [14] |
Cimmeria | Neoproterozoic | 550 Ma | ![]() | [15] |
Laurasia | Neoproterozoic | 550 Ma | ![]() | [16] |
Cuyania | Paleozoic | ~420-390 Ma | [17] | |
Chilenia | Paleozoic | ~420-390 Ma | [18] | |
Pangaea | Paleozoic | 335 Ma | ![]() | [16] |
Africa | Paleozoic | 300 Ma | ![]() | [19] |
South America | Mesozoic | 225 Ma | ![]() | [20] |
North America | Mesozoic | 200 Ma | ![]() | [21] |
Mauritia | Mesozoic | 70-60 Ma | ![]() | [22] |
Asia | Mesozoic | 66 Ma | ![]() | [23] |
Australia | Cenozoic | 10 Ma | ![]() | [24] |
Europe | Cenozoic | 5 Ma | ![]() | [25] |
Pangaea Proxima | ~250 myf | ![]() | [3] | |
Novopangaea | ~250 myf | ![]() | [26] | |
Aurica | ~250 myf | [26] | ||
Amasia | ~250 myf | ![]() | [26] |