The theory of continental drift describes the movement of landmasses on Earth's surface. Which of the following shows evidence of continental drift? (1 point)
fossil evidence
glacial deposits
match up of landforms, rocks, and other resources
none of the above
All of the above show evidence of continental drift.
The correct answer is all of the above: fossil evidence, glacial deposits, and the match up of landforms, rocks, and other resources all provide evidence of continental drift.
To determine which of the options shows evidence of continental drift, we can evaluate each one individually:
1. Fossil evidence: Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms. They can provide insights into past lifeforms and their distribution. One of the significant pieces of evidence for continental drift is the presence of identical fossils on different continents that are now widely separated. For example, the Mesosaurus, an ancient freshwater reptile from the Permian period, has been found in South America and Africa. This distribution suggests that these continents were once connected and then drifted apart.
2. Glacial deposits: Glacial deposits are sedimentary materials left behind by glaciers. The presence of glacial deposits in regions that are currently far from the polar ice caps provides evidence of continental drift. For instance, extensive glacial deposits and erosional features have been found in South America, Africa, India, and Australia, indicating that these continents were once positioned near the South Pole, which was covered in ice.
3. Match up of landforms, rocks, and other resources: An essential piece of evidence for continental drift is the similarity of landforms, rock types, and other resources on different continents. For example, the Appalachian Mountains in North America correspond with the Caledonian Mountains in Europe, both being remnants of the same ancient mountain-building event. Similarly, the rock sequences and geological structures in South America align with those in Africa, including the presence of gold deposits in both regions. These similarities suggest that these continents were once joined and have since separated.
Based on this evaluation, all of the provided options (fossil evidence, glacial deposits, and match up of landforms, rocks, and other resources) show evidence of continental drift. Therefore, the correct answer is none of the above.