Question

the hydrosphere refers to the total amount of water on earth, including liquid, gas, and solid forms. which is one way the hydrosphere has been impacted by the movement of the continents over time?
○ glaciers that once covered south africa have melted and can no longer form.
○ all of the continents have fewer coastal areas than they did millions of years ago.
○ land masses near the equator have more glaciers now than they did millions of years ago.
○ the poles that were once covered by glaciers are now surrounded by warm, tropical waters.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option A: South Africa's position changed over time due to continental drift. Once in a glacial - forming region, now its climate doesn't support glacier formation, so glaciers there melted and can't form. This shows how continental movement (plate tectonics) affected the hydrosphere (glaciers are part of the hydrosphere's solid water form).
2. Analyze Option B: Continental movement (like rifting, collision) can create more or less coastal areas. For example, when continents break apart, new coastlines are formed. So saying all continents have fewer coastal areas is incorrect.
3. Analyze Option C: Land masses near the equator have a warm climate, and over time with continental movement, they are not likely to have more glaciers now than before. Glaciers form in cold regions, so this is incorrect.
4. Analyze Option D: The poles are still cold and covered by ice (glaciers) in many areas. They are not surrounded by warm, tropical waters. Continental movement hasn't moved the poles to tropical regions, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. Glaciers that once covered South Africa have melted and can no longer form.