0
How do fossils support the theory that the continents were once joined together?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
The Continental drift theory posits that the shoreline of many continents were at one time interlocked. Through tectonic movement and axis shift, the continents have drifted apart as is evidenced by similar animal fossils on differing continents.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoFossils on different continents support Wegener's theory because the same plant and animal fossils were found on different contenents. Most of the animals that were found would not be able to swim across the ocean that seperates the contenents today. This helps proove his theory because it would make more sence that the continents were joined than it would that the animal swam across an ocean. The fossils of a tropical plant (fern) was found in Antarctica. The plant would not have been able to be carried by the wind and it wouldnt be able to survive in that climate. So if you see a picture of the continents put together (Pangaea) you would see that Antarctica was close to the equator so it would have been warm enough for that plant to survive.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe current configuration of continents is by and large with the continental land masses widely separated.
This separation is such that if one looks at the fauna currently established on these separate continental islands they are all significantly different one form another.
These differences would indicate that there has been not transfer of species from one continental mass to another for considerable time. Each is an evolutionary 'island'.
However as one moves back in time, examining the fossils record present on these continents, it becomes apparent that in the past there were faunas present and common to all these land masses.
One must therefore surmise that these land masses were connected in the past and that therefore that continent must move.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe find the same fossil in Europe and America, for example. They explore it and they find the same DNA in those fossils. That's the way they created that theory.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoWe find matching types of ancient fossils separated on coinciding land masses across the Atlantic Ocean, where Brazil would abut Africa.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoWe find matching types of ancient fossils separated on coinciding land masses across the Atlantic ocean, where Brazil would abut Africa.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoYes that is true!:)
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why Wegener interested in finding fossils of the same plants and animals on two different continents?
The answer is quite simple. Millions and billions of years ago, the Earth was one land. This was called Pangea. However, due to plate techtonics, they move the land around and over time, these lands split apart. After enough time has elasped, these gaps would become oceans. For example, when the continents were together as pangaea the animals roamed freely, but when they split apart the animals were split up. So a plant or animal fossil may be the same on the eastern coast of South America as it is on the western coast of Africa.
What evidence did wegener gather to support his continental drift hypothesis?
Well it wasn't so much climate as the fossils that have been found. Fossils have been found in Antarctica of plants that only occur in tropical climates so at one point it must have had a tropical climate. That is the most dramatic example but there are more subtle ones that led him to believe that the continents, at one point, must have been in different locations on the Earth and then moved to where they currently are.
What is Wegeners hypothesis?
Wegener hypothesized that, on earth, there was only one continent called Pangea, but it split into the continents we have now.Improved Another Answer:Wegener's hypothesis was that long 225 million years ago, there was a supercontinent called Pangaea (All the continents were all together).Wegener saw that South America and Africa looked like they could fit together like puzzle pieces. He then found that there were fossils of animals in a warm climate and it was also in a very cold climate. He thought, "How could that be? The animal couldn't have lived in two different kinds of climates and how could it have swam across the sea?!"
What is wegner's theory?
'''It might be long but it has useful info!''' '''Alfred Wegner's Theory''' Wegner's (pronounced vegner because he was German) theory was that millions and millions of years ago, the seven continents were all joined together in a large continent called Pangaea. Pangaea means "whole earth", do you get it? Obviously, the continents are not joined together now. This explains ''continental drift''; another part of Wegner's theory. Continental drift is the slow movement of continents. Pangaea's continents slowly started drifting away from each other to where they are now. Many people think Wegner's theory is whacky, he has proof though. '''Proof:''' '''Evidence 1:''' Don't the continents look like a puzzle? If you look on a world map, doesn't it look like South America can fit perfectly into Africa? Many oher continents can do that; look at a world map closely. '''Evidence 2:''' Now, all the continents are very well apart. How come north Africa shares the same fossils as South America? Many countries share the same fossils, but they are on the other side of the word. The only way that could be is if all the continents were once together but separated by continental drift. Go on any search engine and look up images of Pangaea; it's pretty cool. It makes a lot of sense, right? I'm pretty sure Wegner is right. But is you don't believe in his theory of Pangaea or continental drift, look it up and get more research on it. I hope this was helpful and informational for you! Thanks!
Which of the following can fossils teach us about the earth?
Fossils indicate several things about Earth's past: - the organisms that lived then, and by extension the organisms in their food chain - the climate in the area where the organism lived - how plate tectonics have moved landmasses that once were joined together
What evidence is there that the continents were joined together at one time?
fossils,shape of the continents
What evidence is there to show that the continents were joined together?
because when continental drift happened it split fossils and when people found the fossils in one continent.It matched with other continents fossils.making a hypothesis that they were once joined together...................................your welcomeif you write this that would be bad and you will go to jail....good luck dick sucker
What do the glossopteris fossils tell us about the early position of the continents?
shows that all three continents were once connected (joined) together. because the 'exact' same fossil types were found in all three different continents, which are now split from each other.
How do fossild indicate that the continents have moved with time?
If specific fossils are found in two separated continents, it means that both continents were once joined.
Why were the continents once joined together?
no
What is same on different continents even though separated by oceans?
There are some same species of both plants and animals located on separated continents. This is because the continents were all at one point joined together in one super continent: Pangea, but separated some 200 million years ago. fossils
What do the glossopteris fossils tells us about the early position of the continents?
That they must have been joined up in the past because the same fossils could not exist on the continents given their current position.
What do the glossopteris fossils tell us about early positions of the continents?
That they must have been joined up in the past because the same fossils could not exist on the continents given their current position.
What do the glossopteris fossils tell us about the early positions of the continents?
That they must have been joined up in the past because the same fossils could not exist on the continents given their current position.
What 2 continents that were once joined together?
Scientists believe that ALL continents were once joined, not just 2. The combination of the continents are call Pangea.
In what ways do fossils help support the hypothesis of continental drift?
Fossils of the reptile Mesosaurus have been found in South America and Africa. It probably couldn't swim between the continents. Scientists theorized that this reptile lived on both continents when they were joined. All continents were once part of a large landmass, called Pangea, that broke apart 250-million years ago.
What ways do the fossils help support the hypothesis of continental drift?
Fossils of the reptile Mesosaurus have been found in South America and Africa. It probably couldn't swim between the continents. Scientists theorized that this reptile lived on both continents when they were joined. All continents were once part of a large landmass, called Pangea, that broke apart 250-million years ago.
