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, 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, 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 in tropical climates that were partially submerged on the coasts. Around that time, those regions were located in tropical climates that were partially submerged on the coasts. Around that time, those regions were located near the south pole where coal would likely have formed.

The correct response is: Around that time, it is thought that those regions were located along the ridge of a long mountain chain. Geologists discovered that the largest coal deposits were formed during the Carboniferous Period, around 300 million years ago. During this time, it is believed that those regions were located along the ridge of a long mountain chain, which provided the necessary conditions for the formation of coal deposits. This observation supports the theory of plate tectonics because it suggests that the coal deposits were formed in areas where the Earth's lithosphere was undergoing significant tectonic activity.