Question

1. which of the following processes causes the earth’s tectonic plates to move? a. the daily cycle of high and low tides b. convection currents in the earth’s mantle c. the continuous flow of ocean currents d. high pressure in the atmosphere 2. which of the following statements best explains why fossils of mesosaurus were found in both africa and s. america? a. the animals swam back and forth between africa and south america. b. the animals crossed between the continents using a land bridge. c. africa and s. america were likely once adjacent to each other in one continent. d. the animals evolved and flew over the ocean. 3. which of the following pieces of evidence was not used to support the theory of continental drift? a. the shape of the continents appear to fit together like a puzzle. b. identical fossils have been found on multiple continents separated by oceans. c. similar landforms are continuous between two continents when matched up. d. there was traces of land bridges connecting separate continents. 4. use the vocabulary words from “read it” to complete the following sentences. in 1915, a german scientist named 4) __ proposed the 5) . he noticed that identical 6) were found on separate continents, and it was unlikely the animals would have been able to swim across the oceans. he also observed that each 7) appears to fit together like a puzzle. he theorized that all of the current continents were once joined together into a supercontinent named 8) __, which broke apart, and the landforms slowly drifted apart into their current positions.

Explanation:

1. Convection currents in the Earth's mantle drive the movement of tectonic plates. High and low tides, ocean - currents, and atmospheric pressure do not cause plate movement.
2. The presence of Mesosaurus fossils in both Africa and South America supports the idea that these continents were once joined as one, as Mesosaurus was a small reptile that could not swim across the ocean.
3. Traces of land - bridges were not a piece of evidence used to support the Theory of Continental Drift. The fit of the continents, identical fossils on separate continents, and similar landforms on matched - up continents were evidence.
4. In 1915, Alfred Wegener proposed the Theory of Continental Drift. Identical fossils were found on separate continents, and he noticed that continents fit together like a puzzle. He theorized that all continents were once part of a supercontinent called Pangaea.

Answer:

1. B. convection currents in the Earth’s mantle
2. C. Africa and S. America were likely once adjacent to each other in one continent.
3. D. There was traces of land bridges connecting separate continents.
4. 4) Alfred Wegener; 5) Theory of Continental Drift; 6) Fossils; 7) continent; 8) Pangaea