3. Fossil remains of Glossopteris (an extinct plant with large leaves) have been discovered in India and Australia. When they were living, all the Glossopteris were located together on land, but now the Glossopteris fossils are separated by an ocean. What could explain how these fossils got so far apart?

Question

Responses

a
India and Australia are parts of different plates. The plates slowly moved apart as new plates from underneath got added between them over millions of years.
India and Australia are parts of different plates. The plates slowly moved apart as new plates from underneath got added between them over millions of years.

b
India and Australia are parts of different plates. The plates slowly moved far apart as soft, solid rock from underneath got added to the edges of the plates over millions of years.
India and Australia are parts of different plates. The plates slowly moved far apart as soft, solid rock from underneath got added to the edges of the plates over millions of years.

c
India and Australia are parts of different plates. The plates floated away from each other across the ocean.
India and Australia are parts of different plates. The plates floated away from each other across the ocean.

d
India and Australia are parts of different plates. The plates were sometimes pushed far apart by earthquakes, and soft, solid rock from underneath got added to the edges of the plates.
India and Australia are parts of different plates. The plates were sometimes pushed far apart by earthquakes, and soft, solid rock from underneath got added to the edges of the plates.

Answer 1

The best explanation for how the fossil remains of Glossopteris got so far apart is:

a
India and Australia are parts of different plates. The plates slowly moved apart as new plates from underneath got added between them over millions of years.

This response accurately describes the process of plate tectonics, whereby tectonic plates slowly move over geological time due to processes such as mantle convection, leading to the separation of landmasses that were once joined. The explanation also aligns with the scientific understanding of how continents drift and how fossils can be found on different continents that were once connected.