Question
A diagram of Pangaea can be seen below.
Astroskiandhike. ”Pangaea colors”. July 2018. CC BY-SA 4.0. commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pangaea_colors.svg
What geological evidence supports the existence of the supercontinent Pangaea?
occurrence of frequent volcanic eruptions in the Ring of Fire
presence of mid-ocean ridges with older rock layers near the ridge
alignment of mountain ranges and rock formations across continents
discovery of the Chicxulub crater and high iridium levels in rock strata
Astroskiandhike. ”Pangaea colors”. July 2018. CC BY-SA 4.0. commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pangaea_colors.svg
What geological evidence supports the existence of the supercontinent Pangaea?
occurrence of frequent volcanic eruptions in the Ring of Fire
presence of mid-ocean ridges with older rock layers near the ridge
alignment of mountain ranges and rock formations across continents
discovery of the Chicxulub crater and high iridium levels in rock strata
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The geological evidence that supports the existence of the supercontinent Pangaea is primarily:
**Alignment of mountain ranges and rock formations across continents.**
This evidence shows that similar rock formations and mountain ranges are found on different continents today, which suggests that these landmasses were once joined together. For example, the Appalachian Mountains in North America align with the Caledonian Mountains in Scotland, indicating they were part of the same mountain range before the continents drifted apart.
The other options listed do not specifically support the concept of Pangaea in the same direct way:
- **Occurrence of frequent volcanic eruptions in the Ring of Fire:** While this relates to current tectonic activity, it does not provide direct evidence of Pangaea's existence.
- **Presence of mid-ocean ridges with older rock layers near the ridge:** This shows seafloor spreading and plate tectonics but does not necessarily point to Pangaea directly.
- **Discovery of the Chicxulub crater and high iridium levels in rock strata:** This pertains to the extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs and is not evidence for Pangaea itself.
Thus, the alignment of geological features across continents serves as the primary geological evidence for the existence of Pangaea.
**Alignment of mountain ranges and rock formations across continents.**
This evidence shows that similar rock formations and mountain ranges are found on different continents today, which suggests that these landmasses were once joined together. For example, the Appalachian Mountains in North America align with the Caledonian Mountains in Scotland, indicating they were part of the same mountain range before the continents drifted apart.
The other options listed do not specifically support the concept of Pangaea in the same direct way:
- **Occurrence of frequent volcanic eruptions in the Ring of Fire:** While this relates to current tectonic activity, it does not provide direct evidence of Pangaea's existence.
- **Presence of mid-ocean ridges with older rock layers near the ridge:** This shows seafloor spreading and plate tectonics but does not necessarily point to Pangaea directly.
- **Discovery of the Chicxulub crater and high iridium levels in rock strata:** This pertains to the extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs and is not evidence for Pangaea itself.
Thus, the alignment of geological features across continents serves as the primary geological evidence for the existence of Pangaea.