Question

How does the fossil record provide evidence of continential drift and plate tectonic theory?

a.Fossils are older than the rock layers they are found in
b. There are holes in the fossil record that can only be explained by volcanic activity created by tectonic movement
c. Fossils of larger animals are found in pieces, meaning they must have been shifted around in the ground by tectonic motion
d. Unique animal species fossils, like marsupials, are found in locations that is not where those current animal species are found today

Answer 1

The fossil record provides evidence of continental drift and plate tectonic theory through the order of rock layers and the age of fossils, the distribution of unique animal species fossils, and the presence of fossilized sea life in unexpected locations. Option a, d and c are the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fossil record provides evidence of continental drift and plate tectonic theory in several ways:

1. Fossils are older than the rock layers they are found in: By observing the order of rock layers and the age of fossils, scientists can determine the relative timing of life forms and geological events. This helps establish a correlation between the movement of continents and the distribution of organisms.
2. Unique animal species fossils found in unexpected locations: Fossils of species like marsupials found in places that are not their current habitats indicate that these species were once distributed differently due to the movement of continents.
3. Fossils of ancient sea life on land: The presence of fossilized sea life in areas far from oceans suggests that these areas were once covered by oceans, supporting the idea of continental drift and the changing Earth's surface over time.