Mountain chains in Northern Europe and West Africa match the Appalachian Mountains in terms of their ages and the sequences of rock layers that make them up. In 3–5 sentences, analyze these observations, and explain what conclusions can be drawn from them. (4 points)

Question

Short Answer Rubric (4 points)

Answer 1

The observations of matching ages and rock layer sequences between the mountain chains in Northern Europe and West Africa and the Appalachian Mountains suggest that these regions were once connected and were part of the same geological formation. This implies that these regions were once located in close proximity and have since drifted apart due to tectonic plate movements. Additionally, the similarities in the rock layer sequences indicate that similar geological processes and events occurred in both regions during their formation. The conclusions drawn from these observations support the theory of continental drift and provide evidence for the dynamic nature of Earth's tectonic plates.