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Which of the following was used as an evidence for continental drift? (More than one answer possible)[*remember that continental drift IS NOT the same as plate tectonics]

A. GPS readings
B. similar fossils found on either side of the Atlantic
C. tropical climate fossils in (currently) cold northern areas
D. magnetic stripes on the ocean floor1

User Hatched
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Final answer:

Wegener's evidence for continental drift includes the puzzle-like fit of continents, similar fossils on separate continents, and tropical fossils in current cold climates. GPS readings and magnetic stripes were not used by Wegener but are a part of later plate tectonics theory.

Step-by-step explanation:

The evidence used to support Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift includes several important observations. Firstly, he noticed that the shapes of the continents, such as the east coast of South America and the west coast of Africa, appeared to fit together like pieces of a puzzle, suggesting they were once joined.

Secondly, Wegener uncovered similar fossils on continents now separated by vast oceans, like those found in both South America and Africa, which indicated these landmasses must have been connected in the past to have such remnants. Thirdly, he pointed to the presence of tropical climate fossils in currently cold northern areas as proof that the continents had shifted over time from warmer to cooler climates or vice versa.

Other evidence proposed by Wegener involved the matching of geological features such as mountain ranges that spanned across continents currently separated by oceans. However, options like GPS readings and magnetic stripes on the ocean floor were not part of Wegener's evidence but were discovered later and became crucial in the development of the theory of plate tectonics, which further explained and expanded upon the idea of continental drift.

User Pizycki
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