Question

exit ticket: how does the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and sea - floor structures provide evidence for past plate motions?

Explanation:

Fossils of the same species found on different continents far - apart suggest that these continents were once joined, as plants and animals could not have crossed vast oceans on their own. The matching of rock formations across continents also indicates that they were once contiguous. The shapes of continents, like how South America and Africa seem to fit together like puzzle pieces, are evidence of past connections. Sea - floor structures such as mid - ocean ridges and magnetic striping show the process of sea - floor spreading, which is part of plate tectonics and provides evidence for the movement of tectonic plates over time.

Answer:

The distribution of fossils shows that similar species were once in the same area before the continents separated. Matching rock formations across continents imply past contiguity. Continental shapes suggest former connections. Sea - floor structures like mid - ocean ridges and magnetic striping demonstrate sea - floor spreading and plate movement.