Laurasia and Gondwanaland, or Gondwana, were the two major continents (often called supercontinents) of the Jurassic period. As the gap between North America and Africa widened, driven by the spreading rift, so did the gap between North and South America. Water filled this gap, separating Pangea into the northern continent of Laurasia, and the southern continent of Gondwana. Despite the separation of the huge continent, scientists have found fossil skeletons of the Brachiosaurus and plated stegosaurs in Africa and North America. This indicates that although the continents were separating, there were probably land bridges that popped up from time to time, allowing the species to spread to both continents.

Laurasia included the present-day areas of Europe, North America, and Siberia. Also included in this large landmass was Greenland. Gondwana included the present day areas of Africa, South America, India, Antarctica, and Australia.