The Tethys Sea was an ancient ocean that existed during the Mesozoic Era, roughly between 250 and 65 million years ago. It played a significant role in the geological history of the Earth, separating the continents of Gondwana to the south and Laurasia to the north. The sea was home to diverse marine life, including early forms of sharks, mollusks, and corals. Over millions of years, tectonic activity caused the Tethys Sea to gradually shrink and eventually disappear. Its remnants can be found today in various regions, including the Mediterranean Sea and parts of the Himalayas. The closure of the Tethys Sea significantly influenced the formation of modern continents and oceanic structures.