Scientists use fossil records to understand the changing arrangement of continents driven by plate movements. One such fossil studied is that of a fern-like plant called Glossopteris, which is dated to be 300 million years old. The map shows the present-day locations at which the fossils of Glossopteris are found.

Question

Which statement correctly explains the presence of Glossopteris fossils in the locations shown on the map?
The continents were joined together when Glossopteris existed.
The continents moved closer after the fossilization of Glossopteris.
The continents started to drift apart before the existence of Glossopteris.
The continents were separated by oceans before the existence of Glossopteris.

Answer 1

The correct statement that explains the presence of Glossopteris fossils in the locations shown on the map is: The continents were joined together when Glossopteris existed.

This is because the distribution of Glossopteris fossils is found across various continents that are currently separated by oceans, indicating that these continents were once part of a larger landmass (such as Gondwana) when Glossopteris thrived.