The picture shows a fifty-two-million-year-old palm leaf fossil from a palm tree that was found in Wyoming. Palm trees with leaves similar to this fossil can be found living in tropical climates in the present day. Which of these best explains why a palm leaf fossil was found in Wyoming?
A.
A leaf from a palm tree was carried to the area by the wind.
B.
The climate in the area was much warmer fifty-two million years ago.
C.
Seeds from a palm tree were carried to the area by migrating animals.
D.
The palm trees in the area were adapted to a much colder climate fifty-two million years ago.
B. The climate in the area was much warmer fifty-two million years ago.
To find the best explanation for why a palm leaf fossil was found in Wyoming, let's analyze the options:
A. A leaf from a palm tree was carried to the area by the wind.
This explanation suggests that the wind blew a palm leaf from a tropical region to Wyoming. While it is possible for wind to transport leaves, it is unlikely to explain the presence of a fossilized palm leaf, which requires specific conditions for preservation over millions of years.
B. The climate in the area was much warmer fifty-two million years ago.
This explanation suggests that the climate in Wyoming was warmer in the past, allowing palm trees to grow there. This could explain why a palm leaf fossil was found if palm trees were once native to the area.
C. Seeds from a palm tree were carried to the area by migrating animals.
This explanation suggests that animals migrated to Wyoming and carried palm tree seeds with them, leading to the growth of palm trees. While animal-mediated seed dispersal is a plausible mechanism, it does not directly explain the presence of a fossilized palm leaf unless the palm trees themselves also became fossilized.
D. The palm trees in the area were adapted to a much colder climate fifty-two million years ago.
This explanation suggests that the palm trees in Wyoming were adapted to a colder climate in the past, allowing them to survive in the area. If palm trees were capable of thriving in colder climates, it could explain why a palm leaf fossil was found in Wyoming.
After examining the options, the best explanation for why a palm leaf fossil was found in Wyoming would be:
B. The climate in the area was much warmer fifty-two million years ago.
This explanation aligns with the fact that palm trees with similar leaves can be found living in tropical climates today. It suggests that Wyoming had a warmer climate in the past, providing suitable conditions for palm trees to grow and leave behind fossilized remains.