TeXes Science Practice Test

What evidence from fossils did Wegener use to support his theory?

1. All fossils found worldwide are similar.

2. Fossils show that large creatures could swim long distances.

3. Fossils of large land-dwelling creatures are spread across continents.

4. No fossils can be found on separated continents.

The correct answer is: Fossils of large land-dwelling creatures are spread across continents.

Wegener's theory of continental drift was supported by the discovery of similar fossils of large land-dwelling creatures found on different continents, which are now separated by vast oceans. This distribution suggested that these continents were once connected, allowing species to inhabit a larger area. For example, the fossils of the reptile Mesosaurus are found in both South America and Africa, reinforcing the idea that these landmasses were once joined, as Mesosaurus could not have crossed the Atlantic Ocean. This evidence was compelling because it provided a biological link between continents that are now distant, indicating that continents had moved over geological time due to shifts in the Earth's crust. The presence of these similar fossils across various continents was integral to Wegener's argument for the movement of continents, as it directly illustrated the concept of once-adjacent landmasses supporting shared ecosystems.