Question

Describe the theory of plate tectonics and how it explains the presence of fossils from the same plants and animals in locations separated by great distances and large bodies of water.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

The theory of plate tectonics suggests that the earth is broken into a series of slabs called lithosphere that moves over the weak asthenosphere below it.

This theory has provided insight to many chimerical observations made in earth science like volcanism, earthquakes, orogeny e.t.c.

Theory came into limelight after the second world war based on the precepts of the continental drift theory and sea floor spreading theory.

Mantle convection provides the mechanism of motion for the moving plates.

• We can explain the presence of fossils of the same plants and animals in locations that are different using this theory.
• Once in time, the earth was a united land mass.
• Therefore, geographical distribution of fossils across different terrain was not limited.
• It was after the separation of the plates that diversity started.