A freshwater reptile fossil found in both South America and Africa gives which important support to continental drift?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: Mesosaurus distribution suggests the continents were once joined
Mesosaurus was a freshwater reptile that could not have crossed the wide Atlantic Ocean. Its fossils occurring in both South America and Africa are therefore best explained if these continents were formerly connected and later drifted apart. Glossopteris is a plant fossil, Panthalassa was an ocean, and tillite is glacial sediment, so the other choices are unsuitable.
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What is the correct answer to this question?
Mesosaurus distribution suggests the continents were once joined
Why is this the correct answer?
Mesosaurus was a freshwater reptile that could not have crossed the wide Atlantic Ocean. Its fossils occurring in both South America and Africa are therefore best explained if these continents were formerly connected and later drifted apart. Glossopteris is a plant fossil, Panthalassa was an ocean, and tillite is glacial sediment, so the other choices are unsuitable.
Which subject and chapter does this question cover?
This is a Class 11 Geography question. Chapter: Distribution of Oceans and Continents. Topic: Continental Drift Theory and its evidence.
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