What fossil evidence proves that North America, Greenland, Europe, and Africa were once connected. Use the map!

Answer 1

The fossil evidence that supports the theory of North America, Greenland, Europe, and Africa being once connected primarily comes from the presence of similar plant and animal fossils found in these regions.

1. Mesosaurus: Fossils of the freshwater reptile Mesosaurus have been found in both Brazil and South Africa. Since Mesosaurus could not have swum across the Atlantic Ocean, the presence of these fossils in both places suggests that these regions were once connected.

2. Glossopteris: Fossils of the plant Glossopteris have been discovered in South America, Africa, India, and Australia. Glossopteris was a cold-loving plant that could not grow in warm climates. The presence of these fossils in multiple continents implies that they were connected and formed a supercontinent.

3. Lystrosaurus: Fossils of the land reptile Lystrosaurus have been found in South Africa, India, and Antarctica. These regions are currently separated by vast oceans, but the presence of these fossils suggests that they were once part of the same landmass.

By examining the distribution of these fossils across different continents and comparing them, scientists have inferred that these regions were once connected. The similarities in plant and animal fossils provide compelling evidence for the existence of a supercontinent called Pangaea in the past.