Laurentia - Geological History

Geological History

  • Around 4.03 to 3.58 Ga, the oldest intact rock formation on the planet, the Acasta Gneiss, was formed in what is now Nunavut (older individual mineral grains are known, but not whole rocks).
  • Around 2.5 Ga, Arctica formed as an independent continent.
  • Around 2.45 Ga, Arctica was part of the major supercontinent Kenorland.
  • Around 2.1 Ga, when Kenorland shattered, the Arctican craton was part of the minor supercontinent Nena along with Baltica and Eastern Antarctica.
  • Around 1.8 Ga, Laurentia was part of the major supercontinent Columbia.
  • Around 1.5 Ga, Laurentia was an independent continent.
  • Around 1.1 Ga, Laurentia was part of the major supercontinent Rodinia.
  • Around 750 Ma, Laurentia was part of the minor supercontinent Protolaurasia. Laurentia nearly rifted apart.
  • Around 600 Ma, Laurentia was part of the major supercontinent Pannotia.
  • Around Cambrian (542 ±0.3 to 488.3 ±1.7 Ma), Laurentia was an independent continent.
  • Around Ordovician (488.3 ±1.7 to 443.7 ±1.5 Ma), Laurentia was shrinking and Baltica got bigger.
  • Around Devonian (416 ±2.8 to 359.2 ±2.5 Ma), Laurentia collided against Baltica, forming the minor supercontinent Euramerica.
  • Around Permian (299.0 ±0.8 to 251.0 ±0.4 Ma), all major continents collide against each other for forming the major supercontinent Pangaea.
  • Around Jurassic (199.6 ±0.6 to 145.5 ±4 Ma), Pangaea rifted into two minor supercontinents: Laurasia and Gondwana. Laurentia was part of the minor supercontinent Laurasia.
  • Around Cretaceous (145.5 ±4 to 65.5 ±0.3 Ma), Laurentia was an independent continent called North America.
  • Around Neogene (23.03 ±0.05 Ma until today or ending 2.588 Ma), Laurentia, in the form of North America, crashed into South America, forming the minor supercontinent America.
  • Around 250 Ma from now, all continents may crash together, forming the major supercontinent Pangaea Ultima. Laurentia would be part of Pangaea Ultima.
  • Around 450-600 Ma from now, Pangea Ultima will eventually rift apart. Laurentia may break off.

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