Geologists discovered that the largest coal deposits were formed around 300 million years ago. How did this observation support the theory of plate tectonics?(1 point)

Responses

Around that time, it is thought that those regions were located along the ridge of a long mountain chain.
Around that time, it is thought that those regions were located along the ridge of a long mountain chain.

Around that time, those regions were located on arid plateaus in temperate regions.
Around that time, those regions were located on arid plateaus in temperate regions.

Around that time, those regions were located near the south pole where coal would likely have formed.
Around that time, those regions were located near the south pole where coal would likely have formed.

Around that time, those regions were located in tropical climates that were partially submerged on the coasts.

The correct response is: Around that time, it is thought that those regions were located along the ridge of a long mountain chain.

This observation supports the theory of plate tectonics because it suggests that the formation of coal was related to the geological activity along tectonic plate boundaries. The presence of a long mountain chain indicates that tectonic forces were at work, causing the accumulation of sedimentary material that eventually formed coal deposits.