Question
ntinent
Scientists use data from fossils, rocks and other land formations to better understand how Earth has changed over time. They have analyzed evidence to understand how the supercontinent Pangaea became the continents known today. The diagram shows Pangaea (Pangea).
The diagram shows the modern-day continents that made up Pangea. Mountains are located on the east coast of North America, the west coast of Europe, the south coast of Africa, and a tiny section of the east coast of South America.
The continents and subcontinents are on different tectonic plates that move slowly over time. Adjacent plates move along the plate boundaries, or edges. Divergent boundaries occur when two plates move away from each other. Convergent boundaries occur when plates move toward each other. These boundaries are predicted to be the cause of the physical features that are observed today, and how the continents came to exist. Similar physical features and rock formations can be found on continents that are now separated by oceans. The diagram shows the different plates on Earth.
The different plates on Earth are the Pacific Plate, the Juan de Fuca Plate, the Cocos Plate, the Nazca Plate, the North American Plate, the South American Plate, the Caribbean Plate, the African Plate, the Arabian Plate, the Indian Plate, the Australian Plate, the Philippine Plate, the Eurasian Plate, and the Antarctic Plate. The Appalachian mountains are along the east coast of North America, and the Caledonian mountains are along the west coast of Europe.
Similar fossils have also been found on different continents. The table shows where three of these fossils were found.
Species Relative age of Rocks (millions of years ago) Location
Cynognathus 200 mya South America, Africa
Glossopteris 300 mya South America, India, Australia, Antarctica, Africa
Lystrosaurus 300 mya Africa, India, Antartica
Multiple Choice Question
The Appalachian Mountains and the Caledonian Mountains are similar in age and composition. What does this suggest about the continents on which they are found?
A.
They likely were formed after they moved apart.
B.
They both experienced the same past climate changes.
C.
They were once farther away and are moving closer together.
D.
They were likely joined and moved apart due to plate motions.
Scientists use data from fossils, rocks and other land formations to better understand how Earth has changed over time. They have analyzed evidence to understand how the supercontinent Pangaea became the continents known today. The diagram shows Pangaea (Pangea).
The diagram shows the modern-day continents that made up Pangea. Mountains are located on the east coast of North America, the west coast of Europe, the south coast of Africa, and a tiny section of the east coast of South America.
The continents and subcontinents are on different tectonic plates that move slowly over time. Adjacent plates move along the plate boundaries, or edges. Divergent boundaries occur when two plates move away from each other. Convergent boundaries occur when plates move toward each other. These boundaries are predicted to be the cause of the physical features that are observed today, and how the continents came to exist. Similar physical features and rock formations can be found on continents that are now separated by oceans. The diagram shows the different plates on Earth.
The different plates on Earth are the Pacific Plate, the Juan de Fuca Plate, the Cocos Plate, the Nazca Plate, the North American Plate, the South American Plate, the Caribbean Plate, the African Plate, the Arabian Plate, the Indian Plate, the Australian Plate, the Philippine Plate, the Eurasian Plate, and the Antarctic Plate. The Appalachian mountains are along the east coast of North America, and the Caledonian mountains are along the west coast of Europe.
Similar fossils have also been found on different continents. The table shows where three of these fossils were found.
Species Relative age of Rocks (millions of years ago) Location
Cynognathus 200 mya South America, Africa
Glossopteris 300 mya South America, India, Australia, Antarctica, Africa
Lystrosaurus 300 mya Africa, India, Antartica
Multiple Choice Question
The Appalachian Mountains and the Caledonian Mountains are similar in age and composition. What does this suggest about the continents on which they are found?
A.
They likely were formed after they moved apart.
B.
They both experienced the same past climate changes.
C.
They were once farther away and are moving closer together.
D.
They were likely joined and moved apart due to plate motions.
Answers
GPT-5 mini
D. They were likely joined and moved apart due to plate motions.
Matching age and rock types indicate the ranges formed in the same mountain-building event when the continents were connected; later plate motions separated them.
Matching age and rock types indicate the ranges formed in the same mountain-building event when the continents were connected; later plate motions separated them.