There are two continents with an ocean between them. Today, the continents have very different plants and animals on them. However, a geologist found fossils of the same type of organism on both continents. Millions of years ago, when this type of organism was alive, we know it lived in only one place. The geologist is using the fossils as evidence to argue that the two continents used to be touching. How could the continents have gotten so far apart, and how long did it take for this to happen

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
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There are two continents with an ocean between them. Today, the continents have very different plants and animals on them. However, a geologist found fossils of the same type of organism on both continents. Millions of years ago, when this type of organism was alive, we know it lived in only one place. The geologist is using the fossils as evidence to argue that the two continents used to be touching. How could the continents have gotten so far apart, and how long did it take for this to happen?

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