Question

the hydrosphere refers to the total amount of water on earth, including liquid, gas, and solid forms. which is one way the hydrosphere has been impacted by the movement of the continents over time?
glaciers that once covered south africa have melted and can no longer form.
all of the continents have fewer coastal areas than they did millions of years ago.
land masses near the equator have more glaciers now than they did millions of years ago.
the poles that were once covered by glaciers are now surrounded by warm, tropical waters.

Explanation:

• Option 1: South Africa was once closer to the poles (due to continental movement). As it moved to its current position (lower latitude), the climate became warmer. Glaciers that formed in the cold past (when it was near poles) melted and can't form now in the warmer climate. This shows the impact of continental movement on the hydrosphere (glaciers are part of the hydrosphere).
• Option 2: Continental movement doesn't lead to all continents having fewer coastal areas. In fact, continental rifting (a type of movement) can create new coastal areas (e.g., the Red Sea formed due to rifting).
• Option 3: Land masses near the equator are warm. Continental movement would not make them have more glaciers. Glaciers form in cold regions. If a land - mass moves from a cold region (like near poles) to the equator, glaciers would melt, not increase.
• Option 4: The poles are still cold. Continental movement of other land - masses doesn't change the fact that the polar regions (due to their high latitude) are cold and have glaciers (though climate change is affecting them, but the question is about continental movement).

Answer:

Glaciers that once covered South Africa have melted and can no longer form.