How did Plate tectonics help to prove Wegener's theory? Discuss at least three fossils found on the map.

Answer 1

Plate tectonics played a crucial role in supporting Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift by providing an explanation for the movement of continents. Here are three specific examples of fossils found on different continents that further support Wegener's theory:

1. Glossopteris Fossil - Glossopteris fossils were found in multiple locations, including Antarctica, South America, Africa, Australia, and India. The discovery of these fossils suggests that these continents were once connected because Glossopteris was a plant that could not have traveled long distances across the ocean. This supports the idea that these continents were once part of a supercontinent called Pangaea, as Wegener had proposed.

2. Mesosaurus Fossil - Mesosaurus was an aquatic reptile that lived around 300 million years ago. Fossilized remains of Mesosaurus have been found in both South America and Africa. The presence of this fossil on both continents supports the idea that these landmasses were once connected. It indicates that these regions had similar freshwater environments that allowed this reptile to thrive, further validating Wegener's theory of continental drift.

3. Lystrosaurus Fossil - Lystrosaurus was a small, land-dwelling reptile that lived around 260 million years ago. Fossils of Lystrosaurus have been discovered in Antarctica, Africa, and India. The presence of this reptile in these different locations provides evidence that these landmasses were once connected and reinforces Wegener's theory.

Plate tectonics explains that the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small plates that are in constant motion. These plates interact with each other at their boundaries, leading to the formation of various geological features such as mountains, trenches, and rift zones. This movement of plates explains the repositioning of continents over time and provides the mechanism for Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift.