EARTH SCIENCE
TECTONICS
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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The fossils evolved into different organisms
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The climate changed and became much colder.
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In the past, Africa and South America were part of the same continent
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In the future, Africa and South America will be part of the same continent.
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Detailed explanation-1: -Fossils of a particular animal species have been found in both southern Africa and South America but nowhere else. Which of the following is MOST LIKELY the reason why? The climate changed and became much colder.
Detailed explanation-2: -Mesosaurus fossils are found in South America and South Africa. Mesosaurus could swim, but only in shallow water. Cynognathus and Lystrosaurus were early ancestors of mammals that lived on land. Both of these animals were unable to swim at all.
Detailed explanation-3: -By 160 million years ago, continents had begun to drift to their present locations. Today’s coastlines of South America and Africa are a match because these two continents were once joined together. Evidence supported the hypothesis. Similar fossils were found on both sides of the Atlantic.
Detailed explanation-4: -Scientists have found fossils of similar types of plants and animals in rocks of similar age. These rocks were on the shores of different continents. This suggests that the continents were once joined. For example, fossils of Mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile, have been found both in Brazil and western Africa.
Detailed explanation-5: -For example, fossils of the ancient reptile mesosaurus are only found in southern Africa and South America. Mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile only one meter (3.3 feet) long, could not have swum the Atlantic Ocean. The presence of mesosaurus suggests a single habitat with many lakes and rivers.