Palaeogeography

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Paleogeography (sometimes spelled palaeogeography) is the study of the ancient geologic environments of the Earth's surface as preserved in the stratigraphic record.

Paleogeographic analysis is used in the detailed study of sedimentary basins in petroleum geology. Peleogeographers also study the sedimentary environment associated with fossils to aid in the understanding of evolutionary development of extinct species. The reconstructions of prehistoric continents and oceans depends on paleogeographic evidence. Thus paleogeography provided critical evidence for the development of continental drift and current plate tectonic theories. For example, knowledge of the shape and latitudinal location of supercontinents such as Pangaea and ancient oceans such as Panthalassa result from paleogeographic studies.

See also

• Plate tectonics: Behavior of plates covering the surface of the Earth.
• Paleontology: Study of ancient life, often involving fossils and pollen (palynology).
• Paleoclimatology: Study of ancient climates.

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