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:
they are today:
I

Answer 1

The Theory of Continental Drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century, suggests that the Earth's continents were once joined together as a single landmass called Pangaea and have since moved apart to their current positions. This theory explains the similarities between continents' coastlines, rock formations, and fossils found on different continents.

From the given picture, one fossil that supports the Theory of Continental Drift is Glossopteris. Glossopteris is a plant fossil that has been found on different modern-day continents, including South America, Africa, India, Australia, and Antarctica.

Glossopteris supports the Theory of Continental Drift because its widespread distribution on different continents suggests that these continents were once connected in a single landmass. It is unlikely for the same plant species to have evolved independently in different locations under similar environmental conditions, so the presence of Glossopteris in these continents indicates that they were once united.

Furthermore, Glossopteris fossils provide evidence for the existence of a supercontinent, as they are found in rocks of similar age across these continents. This supports the idea that these continents were once part of Pangaea and drifted apart over millions of years.

In conclusion, the presence of the Glossopteris fossil on different continents provides substantial evidence for the Theory of Continental Drift by suggesting that these continents were once joined together in a single landmass and have since moved to their current positions.