Which was an ancient ocean that existed approximately 250 to 50 million years ago before the evolution of the Indian Ocean?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Tethys Ocean.
The Tethys Ocean was an ancient ocean that existed between approximately 250 and 50 million years ago, during the Mesozoic era. It formed as the supercontinent Pangaea began to break apart and separated the northern landmass Laurasia from the southern Gondwana. Over millions of years, tectonic movements caused the Tethys Ocean to gradually shrink, giving rise to the present-day Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and other smaller seas. The ocean played a crucial role in marine biodiversity and the distribution of sediments and fossils.