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Introduction

Landscape of the Karoo Basin South Africa with typical Gondwana successions

Landscape of the Karoo Basin South Africa with typical Gondwana successions
Image Credit: D. Mertmann

Listen to an audio-introduction to the Gondwana-section of the webpage (presented by Elisha M. Shemang)

Target group

This page is addressed to 1st-year university students in Geology and Physical Geography. The first part covers basic knowledge about Gondwana; a second part treats more advanced special topics. In some sections, you will find links to other topics that present more detailed explanations. At the end, you will find a collection of links, books and special scientific references.

A student taking this course will be able to

  • Define the concept of Gondwana.
  • Understand the stages of its break-up.
  • Explain why there is general agreement today that continents of the southern hemisphere had been united some 200 million years ago.
  • Explain the distribution of similar flora and fauna in continents of the southern hemisphere.
  • Describe the itinerary of Gondwana land masses from the Late Precambrian to their present position.

COURSE STRUCTURE

General Topics

  • Gondwana
  • Theories
  • Plate tectonics
  • Evidence
    • Geology
    • Fauna and Flora
    • Climate
  • Breakup Tectonics
  • Timeline
  • Test No.1

Special topics

  • Stratigraphy
  • Glaciations
  • Fauna and Flora
  • Tectonics
  • Mineral deposits
  • Test No. 2
  • References