Choose one of the four fossils (Cynognathus, Mesosaurus, Lystrosaurus, or Glossopteris) from the image below and explain how that fossil supports the Theory of Continental Drift.

Question

In Your Response Include:

1) Explain the Theory of Continental Drift (1 point)

2) Identify one fossil (from the picture below) that supports the Theory of Continental Drift (1 point)

3) Explain how/why that fossil supports the Theory of Continental Drift (1 point)



Use the pictures below to help you with your response.

Continents as Pangaea: Continents as they are today:



(3 points)

Answer 1

1) The Theory of Continental Drift proposes that the Earth's continents were once joined together in a single supercontinent called Pangaea, which then broke apart and drifted to their current positions over millions of years due to the movement of tectonic plates.

2) One fossil that supports the Theory of Continental Drift is Glossopteris.

3) Glossopteris is an important fossil because it is a plant that was found on different continents that are now far apart. Fossils of Glossopteris have been discovered in locations that are currently part of South America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and India. This suggests that these continents were once much closer together, as Glossopteris plants would not have been able to migrate across vast oceans. Instead, their distribution across these continents provides evidence that these landmasses were once joined in a single continent, supporting the idea of continental drift.