what clues are useful in reconstructing pangea

what clues are useful in reconstructing pangea

1 year ago 89
Nature

There are several clues that are useful in reconstructing Pangea, the supercontinent that existed approximately 290 million years ago. These clues include:

  • Jigsaw fit of the continents: The shapes of the continents on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, such as Western Africa and Eastern South America, fit together like puzzle pieces.

  • Fossil evidence: Fossilized organisms found on present-day continents can be used to reconstruct the positions of the continents when they were part of Pangea. For example, the same fossil species found on different continents suggest that those continents were once connected.

  • Rock evidence: Mountain chains on different continents can be used to reconstruct the positions of the continents when they were part of Pangea. For example, the Appalachian Mountains in North America and the Caledonian Mountains in Europe are believed to have once been part of the same mountain chain.

By piecing together these clues, scientists can reconstruct the positions of the continents when they were part of Pangea. This helps us understand the geological history of the Earth and how the continents have moved over time.

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