<P> A significant body of water ( referred to as the Central American Seaway ) once separated the continents of North and South America , allowing the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans to mix freely . Beneath the surface , two plates of the Earth 's crust were slowly colliding , forcing the Cocos Plate to slide under the Caribbean Plate . The pressure and heat caused by this collision led to the formation of underwater volcanoes , some of which grew large enough to form islands as early as 15 million years ago . Meanwhile , movement of the two tectonic plates was also pushing up the sea floor , eventually forcing some areas above sea level . </P>
<P> A significant body of water ( referred to as the Central American Seaway ) once separated the continents of North and South America , allowing the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans to mix freely . Beneath the surface , two plates of the Earth 's crust were slowly colliding , forcing the Cocos Plate to slide under the Caribbean Plate . The pressure and heat caused by this collision led to the formation of underwater volcanoes , some of which grew large enough to form islands as early as 15 million years ago . Meanwhile , movement of the two tectonic plates was also pushing up the sea floor , eventually forcing some areas above sea level . </P>
when did the collision between north and south america take place
when did the collision between north and south america take place
as early as 15 million years ago
as early as 15 million years ago