Gondwana really was a supercontinent. And it helped kick-start life on Earth
A new study published in Science Advances confirms that the ancient supercontinent Gondwana was larger than previously thought. Researchers identified hidden landmasses, reinforcing the theory of supercontinental cycles throughout Earth's history.
Why it matters
Understanding the formation and breakup of supercontinents provides essential context for the evolution of life and geological history on Earth.
An illustration of the supercontinent Gondwana. MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/GETTY Gondwana really was a supercontinent. And it helped kick‑start life on Earth Published: September 9, 2026 4:09pm EDT https://theconversation.com/gondwana-really-was-a-supercontinent-and-it-helped-kick-start-life-on-earth-291460 https://theconversation.com/gondwana-really-was-a-supercontinent-and-it-helped-kick-start-life-on-earth-291460 Link copied Share article Share article
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Some 550 million years ago, the Earth looked very different to what it does today. The Southern Hemisphere was dominated by an enormous, single continent known as Gondwana.
This continent was first recognised by Austrian geologist Eduard Seuss in 1885 based on the presence of a unique plant fossil that was first discovered in the Gondwana Province of India. The fossils were then found in Australia, Africa, Antarctica and South America, demonstrating these land masses were once connected.
But whether Gondwana was an actual “supercontinent” has been a subject of intense scientific debate in recent years.
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