What is Tethys Ocean?
[[Image:Laurasia-Gondwana.svg|thumb|right|250px|First phase of the Tethys Ocean's forming: the (first) Tethys Sea starts dividing [[Pangaea]] into two supercontinents, [[Laurasia]] and [[Gondwana]].]] The '''Tethys Ocean''', also called the '''Tethys Sea''' or the '''Neo-Tethys''', was a prehistoric [[ocean]] during much of the [[Mesozoic]] Era and early Cenozoic Era, located between the ancient continents of [[Gondwana]] and [[Laurasia]], before the opening of the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]] and [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] oceans during the [[Cretaceous]] Period. The Tethys Ocean existed between the [[continents]] of [[Gondwana]] and [[Laurasia]] during much of the [[Mesozoic]] era. Several smaller versions have existed down to the present day. Today's [[Black Sea]], [[Caspian Sea]], and [[Aral Sea]] are remnants of the Tethys Ocean. == Names == This is a list of names which have been used for different stages of the Tethys: *Proto-Tethys, from the latest [[Ediacaran]] to the [[Carboniferous]] 550–330 million years ago (mya) *Palaeo-Tethys or Paleo-Tethys, from Carboniferous to early [[Jurassic]] *Tethys Ocean proper, or Neo-Tethys, existed between the continents of Gondwana and Laurasia before the opening of the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]] and [[Atlantic ocean]]s during the [[Cretaceous]] period. Roughly, a bigger [[Mediterranean]], continuing right through to the [[Indian Ocean]]. *Alpine or Paratethys sea to the north of the Tethys, roughly where the Alps are today. [[Category:Oceans]] [[Category:Mesozoic]] {{science-stub}}