QuestionMay 11, 2025

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?

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?
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?

Solution
4.3(311 votes)

Answer

It took approximately 200 million years for the continents to drift apart. Explanation 1. Identify the geological process The continents could have drifted apart due to **plate tectonics**, where Earth's lithosphere is divided into plates that move over the asthenosphere. 2. Calculate the rate of continental drift Continental drift occurs at an average rate of about 2.5 cm per year. 3. Estimate time for separation If the continents are currently separated by a distance of approximately 5000 km, convert this to centimeters (5000 km = 500,000,000 cm). 4. Calculate time taken Use the formula: **time = \frac{distance}{rate}**. Thus, time = \frac{500,000,000 \text{ cm}}{2.5 \text{ cm/year}}.

Explanation

1. Identify the geological process<br /> The continents could have drifted apart due to **plate tectonics**, where Earth's lithosphere is divided into plates that move over the asthenosphere.<br /><br />2. Calculate the rate of continental drift<br /> Continental drift occurs at an average rate of about 2.5 cm per year.<br /><br />3. Estimate time for separation<br /> If the continents are currently separated by a distance of approximately 5000 km, convert this to centimeters (5000 km = 500,000,000 cm).<br /><br />4. Calculate time taken<br /> Use the formula: **time = \frac{distance}{rate}**. Thus, time = $\frac{500,000,000 \text{ cm}}{2.5 \text{ cm/year}}$.
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