A fossil of an ocean fish on two different continents wouldn’t be convincing evidence of continental drift because the oceans enable marine organisms like fish to move between different continents with relative ease .
Why would you find the same fossils on 2 different continents?
There are many examples of fossils found on separate continents and nowhere else, suggesting the continents were once joined. If Continental Drift had not occurred, the alternative explanations would be: ... They swam to the other continent/s in breeding pairs to establish a second population .
How the same fossil can be found on two different continents separated by an ocean?
The only way these fossils can be found on continents that are separated by oceans is if the continents were once together (connected). ... Therefore, these creatures must have lived on a giant continent that later broke apart , and the pieces drifted away from each other .
Why are fossils of the same species that were found on different continents evidence for continental drift?
There are various examples of fossils found on separate continents and in no other regions. This indicates that these continents had to be once joined together because the extensive oceans between these land masses act as a type of barrier for fossil transfer .
Which fossils evidence is are found in two continents?
Fossil Evidence
For example, fossils of Mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile , have been found both in Brazil and western Africa. Also, fossils of the land reptile Lystrosaurus have been found in rocks of the same age in Africa, India and Antarctica.
Which is the best evidence that two continents were once connected?
Wegener then assembled an impressive amount of evidence to show that Earth’s continents were once connected in a single supercontinent. Wegener knew that fossil plants and animals such as mesosaurs, a freshwater reptile found only South America and Africa during the Permian period, could be found on many continents.
What is the only city in two different continents?
Istanbul is divided between two continents, and therefore two cultures. In ancient times it was known as Byzantium, then became Constantinople of the Romans, and finally Istanbul of the Ottoman and modern Turkish times.
What are the 4 evidence of continental drift?
The evidence for continental drift included the fit of the continents; the distribution of ancient fossils, rocks, and mountain ranges; and the locations of ancient climatic zones .
How did the continents fit together?
The continents fit together like pieces of a puzzle. ... Alfred Wegener proposed that the continents were once united into a single supercontinent named Pangaea , meaning all earth in ancient Greek. He suggested that Pangaea broke up long ago and that the continents then moved to their current positions.
How do I know if I have found a fossil?
If they are smooth and do not have any real texture, they are probably rocks. Even if it is shaped like a bone, if it does not have the right texture then it is probably a rock. Lastly, paleontologists do a final inspection of their possible fossil by checking for pores . ... In denser bone, it is harder to see or feel.
Why do the continents not fit together exactly?
There are several reasons due to which the present shapes of the continents will not fit perfectly into a super continent. The main reason can be attributed to erosion and rise and fall of the water levels . ... this never allows the continents to remain in the shape in which they were separated from one another.
What are the 5 evidences of continental drift theory?
They based their idea of continental drift on several lines of evidence: fit of the continents, paleoclimate indicators, truncated geologic features, and fossils .
Why did Pangea split apart?
About 180 million years ago the supercontinent Pangea began to break up. Scientists believe that Pangea broke apart for the same reason that the plates are moving today . The movement is caused by the convection currents that roll over in the upper zone of the mantle.
What are the evidence of plate tectonics?
There is variety of evidence that supports the claims that plate tectonics accounts for (1) the distribution of fossils on different continents , (2) the occurrence of earthquakes, and (3) continental and ocean floor features including mountains, volcanoes, faults, and trenches.
Is the supercontinent?
In geology, a supercontinent is the assembly of most or all of Earth’s continental blocks or cratons to form a single large landmass . ... The supercontinent Pangaea is the collective name describing all of the continental landmasses when they were most recently near to one another.
What was the response to Wegener’s hypothesis?
“That was always his response: Just assert it again, even more strongly .” By the time Wegener published the final version of his theory, in 1929, he was certain it would sweep other theories aside and pull together all the accumulating evidence into a unifying vision of the earth’s history.
