43. Once, The Appalachian Was the Biggest Mountain Range

In the annals of Earth’s geological history, Pangea emerges as a remarkable chapter—a supercontinent that united almost all landmasses into a single entity. Formed during the Early Permian Epoch, roughly 299 to 273 million years ago, Pangea was encircled by a vast ocean known as Panthalassa.

Within this immense landmass, the Appalachian Mountains occupied a central position, pressed against ancient mountain ranges now located in Morocco and Scotland. Over time, the Appalachians underwent a cycle of erosion, gradually wearing down to near-flat terrain before experiencing a resurgence, shaping them into their present-day form.