That's correct! The presence of similar fossils on different tectonic plates supports the theory of continental drift and the existence of the supercontinent Pangaea, which existed around 335 million years ago and began breaking apart about 175 million years ago. This phenomenon can be explained through several concepts:
-
Fossil Evidence: Similar fossils of plants and animals, such as the reptile Mesosaurus or the glossopteris plant, have been found in continents that are now separated by oceans. This suggests that these continents were once joined, allowing species to inhabit a continuous landmass.
-
Plate Tectonics: The theory of plate tectonics explains the movement of Earth's lithosphere (the rigid outer layer) which is broken into several plates. These plates float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them and can move due to convection currents in the mantle.
-
Continental Drift: Proposed by Alfred Wegener, this theory posits that continents are not static but have moved over geological time. The drift of continents has resulted in the current positioning of landmasses.
-
Geological Evidence: In addition to fossil evidence, there are geological similarities (such as rock formations and mountain ranges) that can be found on continents that are now separated by large distances.
-
Climate Evidence: Fossilized evidence of past climates (like coal deposits in now cold regions) also indicates that continents were once located in different climatic zones, supporting the idea of their previous connections.
The movement of tectonic plates continues today, leading to seismic activity, the formation of new mountain ranges, and the shifting of oceans. Understanding these processes illustrates how Earth's surface is dynamic and continually changing.
1 answer