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Science 30 May 2003:
Vol. 300. no. 5624, pp. 1379 - 1381
DOI: 10.1126/science.1083469
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Perspectives

Also see the archival list of Science's Compass: Enhanced Perspectives

GEOLOGY:
Enhanced: The Rodinia Jigsaw Puzzle

Trond H. Torsvik

As a result of plate tectonics, the continents on Earth's surface periodically come together to form supercontinents. Much is known about the most recent supercontinent, Pangaea, which reached its maximum extent about 250 million years ago. But an earlier supercontinent, Rodinia, remains shrouded in mystery. In his Perspective, Torsvik explains how recent data have altered models of the supercontinent's assembly and breakup. He concludes that without better geologic and paleomagnetic data, reconstructions of Rodinia will remain mired in controversy.

The author is affiliated with the Academy of Sciences (VISTA) and is at the Geodynamic Center, Geological Survey of Norway, Trondheim N 7491, Norway. E-mail: trond.torsvik{at}ngu.no

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