Question

11 multiple choice 1 point fossils of clam shells are found in the appalachian mountains. which of the following statements best explains why the clam shells can be found in the rock layers of the appalachian mountains? the clams lived on land before moving to the water. the area was once under water during the paleozoic era. animals released the clam shells in their waste. birds flying overhead dropped the clam shells.

Explanation:

Clams are aquatic organisms, so they can't live on land initially (eliminating the first option). Animal waste or birds dropping shells are not plausible ways for clam shells to be in rock layers. The Appalachian Mountains' rock layers having clam shells is best explained by the area being underwater (where clams lived) during the Paleozoic Era, leading to their shells being preserved in sediment that later formed rock.

Answer:

B. The area was once under water during the Paleozoic Era.