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Howdy, neighbor!

Millions of years ago, the American Southwest sat next to East Antarctica

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

What a juxtaposition: About 800 million years ago, East Antarctica, now one of the coldest regions on Earth, abutted what is now California’s Death Valley, one of the hottest.

FITTING THE PIECES Rocks from the Transantarctic Mountains hint that about 800 million years ago East Antarctica sat next to Laurentia, a landmass that includes much of modern-day North America.