Which of the following provide evidence that South America, Africa, Antartica, and Autralia were once together as one supercontinent? Select three correct answers.
a. Glacial deposits and scratches in the bedrock from an ice sheet match in distant regions.
b. Fossils of marsupials were originally the same across South America and Australia.
c. Cratons match across the edges of the continents.
d. Mountain chains match up where South America collilded with Australia to form Pangea.
e. Vast deposits of coal formed in regions with ancient deserts.
f. Icy glaciers covered South America, Africa, Antartica, and Australia as one supercontinent over the North Pole.
The three correct answers are:
a. Glacial deposits and scratches in the bedrock from an ice sheet match in distant regions. This evidence suggests that the continents were once connected and covered by a single ice sheet.
b. Fossils of marsupials were originally the same across South America and Australia. The presence of similar fossils in both regions suggests a common ancestry and a time when the continents were connected.
c. Cratons match across the edges of the continents. Cratons are ancient continental cores that have remained stable over billions of years. The matching of cratons across the continents provides strong evidence for their former connection.