Question

which explanation provides support for continental drift theory?
dinosaurs lived on many continents.
coal fields match up across continents.
tropical plant fossils were found in warm areas.
mountains formed where earth cooled and shrank.

Explanation:

• Dinosaur argument: Dinosaurs could have migrated across land bridges (if existed) or their fossils could be mis - interpreted. This is not a strong, unique support for continental drift.
• Coal fields: Coal forms in specific environments. If coal fields match up across continents (which are now separated), it suggests that those continents were once connected. Because the same environmental conditions (for coal formation) would have been continuous on a single landmass.
• Tropical plant fossils in warm areas: Warm areas can have tropical plants without the need for continental movement. It does not imply that continents were once in different positions.
• Mountain formation due to Earth cooling: This is related to the general geological process of mountain - building due to cooling and contraction (an old - fashioned theory, not plate - tectonic related) and has no relation to continental drift.

Answer:

Coal fields match up across continents.