As followers of this blog know, I’m a bit of a map nerd. I admitted as much in a previous blog about using GIMP to create your own fantasy map (here). Recently I started posting maps that I consider interesting on my Facebook author page. Since they go live every Monday, I call the feature Map Monday. To improve the map viewing experience, provide more room for commentary and admittedly reach a broader audience in the bargain, I’m moving Map Monday to this blog.
After scouring the internet for hours, or at least a period of time that feels like hours, I’ll post a map each Monday morning. At no extra charge I’ll add my personal and dare I say insightful comments to the post. Have no fear, my regular posts on other topics will continue on their sporadic whenever I can make time schedule. In addition to trudging off to work or school, you can now add Map Monday to your list of favorite things about the much maligned Monday.
All right, with that settled today’s map shows Pangaea, a super-continent that existed for about 200 million years (300-100 MYA). That period starts with the end of the Paleozoic Era (Permian period which ended with the greatest mass extinction of life to date). It ends in the early Mesozoic Era (the beginnings of the Age of Reptiles). We’ve all seen this map with today’s continents identified. Massimo Pietrobon took it one step further and delineated today’s countries on the map.
My first question, is the Marrakesh Express an extension of the Amtrak Acela Express service or a different line? If the latter do you have to change trains in Boston or ride to Maine? Then of course, I’ve always been a fan of early CSN(&Y).
So what’s the first thing that jumps to your mind when you see this interesting map?
As always, thanks for reading.
Armen
Though I’m not from Missouri, I have to ask – Who went over there to check if it was all ocean? …maybe some extraterrestrial being? (…not playing hard—, just playing)
Fair enough. I think this is one of those the proof is left to the reader. It probably goes something like this; with all of the continents accounted for on one side and roughly half a globe’s worth of the water missing….That said showing a blue circle with a few specs of land wouldn’t be that interesting. 🙂
Earth is a sphere. If every land mass known to us today is visible on the side toward us, it stands to reason that there are land masses on the side not visible to us. I want to know what’s back there.
Just as there was one super continent there was also one super ocean. Known as Panthalassa (from the Greek “all ocean”) it became the Pacific ocean when Pangaea broke up. A sub-section of it, named the Tethys Sea for a separate ocean that had existed between two of Pangaea’s constituent parts (Gondwana and Laurasia), became the Atlantic and Indian oceans.
They’ll need more yak dung in China….
I’m not afraid to admit the meaning of your comment escapes me, but I’m a little concerned about what it might be.
They use it for fuel…if they are even farther north one would assume they’ll need more of it! 🙂
Okay, but perhaps being further north they’ll have to switch to a new type of dung.