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Describe how paleoclimatic information was used by Alfred Wegener to argue for the theory of continental drift. How is climatic data preserved in the geologic record?

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Final answer:

Alfred Wegener used paleoclimatic information to support continental drift by showing evidence of past climates. Paleoclimatic data is preserved in ice cores, sedimentary rocks, tree rings, and other sources.

Step-by-step explanation:

Alfred Wegener used paleoclimatic information to argue for the theory of continental drift by showing that there was evidence of past climates in different regions that were now separated by oceans. He observed that fossils of tropical plants were found in regions that currently have cold climates, and vice versa. This suggested that the continents had moved over time, carrying with them evidence of their past climates.

Climatic data is preserved in the geologic record through various methods. For example, ice cores from glaciers and ice sheets can provide information about past temperatures and atmospheric composition. Sedimentary rocks can contain fossils and chemical indicators that reveal past climate conditions. Tree rings, pollen records, and isotopic analysis of shells and corals can also provide insights into past climate patterns.

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