Which of the following provide evidence that South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia were once together as one supercontinent? Select the three correct answers.(2 points)

Question

Responses

Icy glaciers covered South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia as one supercontinent over the North Pole.
Icy glaciers covered South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia as one supercontinent over the North Pole.

Glacial deposits and scratches in the bedrock from an ice sheet match in distant regions.
Glacial deposits and scratches in the bedrock from an ice sheet match in distant regions.

Fossils of marsupials were originally the same across South America and Australia.
Fossils of marsupials were originally the same across South America and Australia.

Vast deposits of coal formed in regions with ancient deserts.
Vast deposits of coal formed in regions with ancient deserts.

Mountain chains match up where South America collided with Australia to form Pangaea.
Mountain chains match up where South America collided with Australia to form Pangaea.

Cratons match across the edges of continents.

Answer 1

The three correct answers that provide evidence that South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia were once together as one supercontinent are:

1. Glacial deposits and scratches in the bedrock from an ice sheet match in distant regions.
   This indicates that these continents were once connected in a way that allowed similar glacial activity.

2. Fossils of marsupials were originally the same across South America and Australia.
   This suggests that these continents were once joined, allowing species to spread across them before they drifted apart.

3. Cratons match across the edges of continents.
   Cratons are the ancient, stable parts of the continental crust. Their matching indicates that these continents were once part of a larger landmass.

Each of these pieces of evidence supports the idea of a supercontinent by highlighting geological and biological connections that would be unlikely if the continents had always been separate.