Choose one of the four fossils (Cynognathus, Mesosaurus, Lystrosaurus, or Glossopteris) from the image below and explain how that fossil supports the Theory of Continental Drift.
In Your Response Include:
1) Explain the Theory of Continental Drift (1 point)
2) Identify one fossil (from the picture below) that supports the Theory of Continental Drift (1 point)
3) Explain how/why that fossil supports the Theory of Continental Drift (1 point)
Use the pictures below to help you with your response.
Continents as Pangaea:
they are today:
I
The Theory of Continental Drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century, suggests that the Earth's continents were once joined together as a single landmass called Pangaea and have since moved apart to their current positions. This theory explains the similarities between continents' coastlines, rock formations, and fossils found on different continents.
From the given picture, one fossil that supports the Theory of Continental Drift is Glossopteris. Glossopteris is a plant fossil that has been found on different modern-day continents, including South America, Africa, India, Australia, and Antarctica.
Glossopteris supports the Theory of Continental Drift because its widespread distribution on different continents suggests that these continents were once connected in a single landmass. It is unlikely for the same plant species to have evolved independently in different locations under similar environmental conditions, so the presence of Glossopteris in these continents indicates that they were once united.
Furthermore, Glossopteris fossils provide evidence for the existence of a supercontinent, as they are found in rocks of similar age across these continents. This supports the idea that these continents were once part of Pangaea and drifted apart over millions of years.
In conclusion, the presence of the Glossopteris fossil on different continents provides substantial evidence for the Theory of Continental Drift by suggesting that these continents were once joined together in a single landmass and have since moved to their current positions.
1) The Theory of Continental Drift proposes that the Earth's continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea, which eventually broke apart and drifted to their current positions. This theory was first introduced by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century and is supported by various lines of evidence.
2) From the provided options, the fossil that supports the Theory of Continental Drift is Glossopteris.
3) Glossopteris is a plant fossil that provides significant evidence for the Theory of Continental Drift. This particular fossil is found in rocks of Permian age (approximately 300-250 million years old) and has been discovered on different continents, including South America, Africa, Australia, India, and Antarctica.
The presence of Glossopteris on these continents suggests that they were once connected since this plant species couldn't have dispersed its seeds over large ocean expanses. It implies that there must have been a land bridge or a continuous landmass allowing Glossopteris to propagate across these regions.
The distribution of Glossopteris supports the idea of a supercontinent, as it indicates a shared geological history and ecological environment. The existence of the same fossil species in separated continents strongly suggests that these landmasses were once attached and have since moved to their present-day locations through continental drift.
In conclusion, the presence of Glossopteris fossils across multiple continents strongly supports the Theory of Continental Drift as it demonstrates the connection between these landmasses in the past before they began drifting apart.
1) The Theory of Continental Drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1915, states that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea and have since moved apart to form the continents as we know them today. According to this theory, the continents are not fixed in their positions but instead slowly drift over time due to the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth's crust.
2) From the provided image, I will choose the fossil of Mesosaurus to support the Theory of Continental Drift.
3) Mesosaurus is an extinct crocodile-like reptile that lived around 270 million years ago. Fossils of Mesosaurus have been discovered in both South America and Africa. This is significant because Mesosaurus was a freshwater-dwelling creature, and its fossils being found in both continents suggest that the two landmasses were once connected.
Based on the Theory of Continental Drift, the presence of Mesosaurus in both South America and Africa supports the idea that these two continents were once part of a single landmass. The fossils indicate that Mesosaurus likely lived in the same freshwater environment, and the only plausible explanation for its presence in both continents is that there was a connection between them at some point in the past.
This finding provides compelling evidence for continental drift, as it suggests that the continents were once joined together but have since moved apart. It aligns with the theory that the movements of tectonic plates have caused the continents to drift and separate over long periods of time. The distribution of Mesosaurus fossils supports the idea of a large supercontinent that later broke apart, supporting the Theory of Continental Drift.