Age of Rock and Plate Tectonics Quiz

Question

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Question
How does the distribution of the world's major coal reserves support the theory of plate tectonics?(1 point)
Responses

Around the time that the continents were together as Pangaea, the regions where coal developed were located along the ridge of a long mountain chain.
Around the time that the continents were together as Pangaea, the regions where coal developed were located along the ridge of a long mountain chain.

Around 300 million years ago, the regions where coal formed were located in tropical climates that were partially submerged on the coasts.
Around 300 million years ago, the regions where coal formed were located in tropical climates that were partially submerged on the coasts.

Before the formation of Pangaea, the regions where coal developed were on arid plateaus in temperate regions.
Before the formation of Pangaea, the regions where coal developed were on arid plateaus in temperate regions.

Around 65 million years ago, the regions where coal formed were near the south pole where coal would likely have formed.
Around 65 million years ago, the regions where coal formed were near the south pole where coal would likely have formed.
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Answer 1

The correct response is:

Around 300 million years ago, the regions where coal formed were located in tropical climates that were partially submerged on the coasts.

This supports the theory of plate tectonics because it indicates that these coal-forming regions were once located in equatorial regions when the continents were together in the configuration of Pangaea, demonstrating the movement of continents over geological time. Coal deposits are typically found in sedimentary basins that were once lush, tropical environments, which would have existed in different locations due to the shifting positions of the continents.