Question Which of the following provide evidence that South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia were once together as one supercontinent? Select the three correct answers.(2 points) Responses Cratons match across the edges of continents. Cratons match across the edges of continents. Mountain chains match up where South America collided with Australia to form Pangaea. Mountain chains match up where South America collided with Australia to form Pangaea. Glacial deposits and scratches in the bedrock from an ice sheet match in distant regions. Glacial deposits and scratches in the bedrock from an ice sheet match in distant regions. Fossils of marsupials were originally the same across South America and Australia. Fossils of marsupials were originally the same across South America and Australia. Vast deposits of coal formed in regions with ancient deserts. Vast deposits of coal formed in regions with ancient deserts. Icy glaciers covered South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia as one supercontinent over the North Pole.
The three correct answers are:
1. Cratons match across the edges of continents.
2. Glacial deposits and scratches in the bedrock from an ice sheet match in distant regions.
3. Fossils of marsupials were originally the same across South America and Australia.
The three correct answers that provide evidence of the supercontinent include:
1. Cratons matching across the edges of continents.
2. Mountain chains matching up where South America collided with Australia to form Pangaea.
3. Fossils of marsupials originally being the same across South America and Australia.
To determine which of the statements provide evidence that South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia were once together as one supercontinent, we need to evaluate each option:
1. Cratons match across the edges of continents: This statement is correct. Cratons are the oldest, most stable parts of continental crust, and when continents were connected, their cratons would align across their edges. This alignment is indeed observed between South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia.
2. Mountain chains match up where South America collided with Australia to form Pangaea: This statement is correct. Mountain chains are formed by tectonic collisions, and the alignment of mountain chains can indicate former connections between continents. In this case, the statement confirms a collision between South America and Australia.
3. Glacial deposits and scratches in the bedrock from an ice sheet match in distant regions: This statement is correct. Glacial deposits and scratches in bedrock, known as glacial striations, can provide evidence of ancient glaciations. As glaciers move across the land, they leave behind distinct features that can be matched in distant regions, indicating that the regions were once connected.
4. Fossils of marsupials were originally the same across South America and Australia: This statement is correct. Fossils of marsupials, which are unique to Australia today, have been found in South America as well. This indicates that the two continents were once connected, allowing for the migration and distribution of these species.
5. Vast deposits of coal formed in regions with ancient deserts: This statement does not directly provide evidence for the supercontinent. Vast deposits of coal can be formed in a variety of environments, including ancient deserts, but it does not necessarily indicate the connection between the mentioned continents.
6. Icy glaciers covered South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia as one supercontinent over the North Pole: This statement is incorrect. The continents were connected during the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea, but the North Pole did not exist as it does today. The current positions of the continents and the polar regions have undergone significant changes over geological time.
Therefore, the three options that provide evidence that South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia were once together as one supercontinent are:
- Cratons match across the edges of continents.
- Mountain chains match up where South America collided with Australia to form Pangaea.
- Glacial deposits and scratches in the bedrock from an ice sheet match in distant regions.