noun
- the study of the geography of the Earth at different periods in the past, including the distribution of continents, oceans, and climates in ancient times
Usage: also spelled paleogeography in U.S. English; technical term used in geology and Earth sciences
Examples
- Palaeogeography helps scientists understand how continents have moved over millions of years.
- The palaeogeography of the Mesozoic Era shows that the supercontinent Pangaea had begun to break apart.
- By studying palaeogeography, researchers can reconstruct ancient ocean currents and climate patterns.
- Palaeogeographic maps reveal where dinosaurs and other extinct species lived in prehistoric times.
- The field of palaeogeography combines evidence from fossils, rock formations, and magnetic data.