Where Was Finland During the Age of Dinosaurs?
April 16, 2026
Finland today is famous for its long winters, frozen lakes, and northern forests. But during the age of dinosaurs, roughly 66 to 230 million years ago, Finland was a very different place, sitting far to the south of its current position in a warm, subtropical climate.
Finland's Position in the Jurassic
During the Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago, the land that is now Finland was located at roughly 40 to 50 degrees north latitude, similar to the modern Mediterranean coast. The global climate was significantly warmer than today, with no polar ice caps, so even this latitude would have been subtropical and forested.
Finland was part of the northern landmass Laurasia, which included Europe, Asia, and North America. The shallow Boreal Sea covered parts of what is now Scandinavia, meaning some of modern Finland may have been submerged during this period.
Finland During Pangea
At the time of Pangea, 250 million years ago, Finland was part of the merged Eurasian landmass and sat in a position equivalent to roughly 30 to 45 degrees north, with a warm, arid interior climate. The ancient Ural Mountains to the east, still relatively young at this point, created a rain shadow effect that kept inland areas dry.
The rocks of Finland are among the oldest in Europe, with parts of the Precambrian shield dating back more than 3 billion years. This ancient basement rock was already ancient when dinosaurs walked the Earth.
The bedrock of Finland includes some of the oldest rock on Earth, over 3 billion years old, far older than any dinosaur.
How Far Has Finland Moved?
Over the past 250 million years, Finland has moved northward by roughly 20 to 25 degrees of latitude, which corresponds to a distance of approximately 2,200 to 2,800 kilometers. The movement was gradual, averaging around 1 to 2 centimeters per year.
This northward drift transformed Finland from a subtropical landscape to one of the northernmost inhabited countries in the world. The climate shift over millions of years also triggered the ice ages that sculpted Finland's famous lake district, carving thousands of lakes out of the ancient bedrock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Finland tropical during the age of dinosaurs?
Not quite tropical, but warm and subtropical. During the Jurassic period, Finland sat at latitudes similar to the modern Mediterranean, with a warmer global climate than today.
Did dinosaurs live in Finland?
No dinosaur fossils have been found in Finland, partly because Finland was covered by sea during parts of the Mesozoic and partly because glacial erosion during the ice ages removed much of the sedimentary record.
Why is Finland so far north today?
Finland drifted northward as part of the Eurasian plate over hundreds of millions of years. The plate tectonics that assembled Europe also pushed Finland to its current high-latitude position.