Choose one of the four fossilis (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:
Continents as
Pangaea Theories of Continental Drift suggest that the Earth's continents were once joined together in a single large landmass called Pangaea. Over time, these continents gradually separated and moved to their current positions.
1) The Theory of Continental Drift proposes that the Earth's continents were once assembled into a supercontinent called Pangaea. This supercontinent later broke apart, gradually drifting to their current positions over millions of years. This theory was first proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912 and is supported by various lines of evidence, including geological, fossil, and paleomagnetic data.
2) One fossil that supports the Theory of Continental Drift is the Mesosaurus. Mesosaurus was an aquatic reptile that lived during the early Permian period. Fossilized remains of Mesosaurus have been found in both South America and southern Africa.
3) The presence of Mesosaurus fossils in both South America and southern Africa supports the Theory of Continental Drift because it indicates that these two continents were once connected. Mesosaurus was an aquatic reptile that couldn't have swum across vast oceanic distances, so the similar fossils in these distant locations suggest that a land connection existed between them during the time when Mesosaurus lived. This observation supports the idea that these continents were once contiguous and validates the concept of Pangaea.