Pangaea formed approximately 335 million years ago when the Earth's tectonic plates converged, bringing together all of the major landmasses. It began to break apart around 200 million years ago and eventually separated into the continents we know today. The movement and collision of tectonic plates, driven by convection currents in the Earth's mantle, have shaped the structure of the earth throughout geological history. The breakup of Pangaea and the subsequent continental drift are examples of plate tectonics in action.