Question

Which of the following are types of evidence to prove that the continents were once together in a supercontinent called Pangea?

1) Fossil evidence
2) Rock formation similarities
3) Continental drift
4) All of the above

Answer 1

All listed options—fossil evidence, rock formation similarities, and the process of continental drift—are types of evidence that support the idea of Pangea. Alfred Wegener proposed the continental drift hypothesis using these evidences to show that continents were once part of a supercontinent.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which types of evidence support the hypothesis that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangea. The correct answer is 4) All of the above, as all provided options are types of evidence used to support the theory of continental drift and the existence of Pangea. Here is how each type of evidence contributes to the theory:

• Fossil evidence: Fossils of the same species found on now-separated continents suggest that these lands were once connected.
• Rock formation similarities: Similar rock formations on continents, now separated by oceans, imply that they were once part of a contiguous landmass.
• Continental drift: This is the process that explains how continents have moved over time to their current positions, which was a central part of Wegener's hypothesis.

Alfred Wegener proposed the idea of the continental drift after observing congruencies in the shapes of the continents, matching fossils and rock layers, and evidence from different climates that suggest some continents were once situated closer to the poles or the equator.