Laurasia

Laurasia was the northernmost of two supercontinents that formed part of the Pangaea supercontinent during the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras. It separated from Gondwana (the southern supercontinent) around 200 million years ago, during the Triassic period.

Laurasia encompassed most of what is now the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia (excluding the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula).

The name "Laurasia" is a combination of "Laurentia" (the name for the North American craton) and "Eurasia."

The breakup of Laurasia began in the Jurassic period, with North America separating from Eurasia. Further fragmentation during the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods led to the formation of the continents as we know them today. This process of continental drift continues to shape the Earth's geography. The separation of Laurasia's landmasses contributed to significant diversification in plant and animal life, as populations became isolated and evolved along different paths.