Continental drift worksheet with map and legend for educational use.

Problem Overview:

The task is to place various pieces of evidence (as listed in the legend) on a world map to support the theory of continental drift. The goal is to identify where these pieces of evidence are located and explain how they support the concept of continental drift.

Legend:

1. Mesosaurus Reptile
2. Desert
3. Amphibians
4. Plateosaurus
5. Alpine Mountains
6. Tropical Plants
7. Igneous Rocks
8. Basalt Rocks
9. Phytosaur

Solution Approach:

To solve this problem, we need to research each piece of evidence and determine its historical or current distribution across continents. Then, we can place these markers on the map and explain how they support the theory of continental drift.

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Step-by-Step Solution:

#### 1. Mesosaurus Reptile
- Distribution: Mesosaurus fossils have been found in both South America and Africa.
- Explanation: This suggests that these two continents were once connected, as the reptiles would not have been able to cross the ocean. This supports the idea that South America and Africa were part of a larger landmass in the past.
- Placement: Mark South America and Africa.

#### 2. Desert
- Distribution: Deserts like the Sahara Desert in Africa and the Namib Desert in southern Africa align with similar desert regions in South America (e.g., Atacama Desert).
- Explanation: The similarity in desert types and their alignment suggest that these continents were once joined, allowing for the same environmental conditions.
- Placement: Mark Africa and South America.

#### 3. Amphibians
- Distribution: Fossils of ancient amphibians have been found in both South America and Africa.
- Explanation: Amphibians cannot survive long-distance ocean crossings, so their presence on both continents suggests that these lands were once connected.
- Placement: Mark South America and Africa.

#### 4. Plateosaurus
- Distribution: Plateosaurus fossils have been found in both South America and Africa.
- Explanation: Similar to Mesosaurus, the presence of Plateosaurus fossils on both continents supports the idea that these lands were once part of a single landmass.
- Placement: Mark South America and Africa.

#### 5. Alpine Mountains
- Distribution: Alpine mountain ranges are found in Europe (e.g., Alps), Asia (e.g., Himalayas), and North America (e.g., Rocky Mountains).
- Explanation: These mountain ranges formed due to tectonic plate collisions. Their alignment and similar geological features suggest that these continents were once part of a larger landmass.
- Placement: Mark Europe, Asia, and North America.

#### 6. Tropical Plants
- Distribution: Tropical plant species are found in both South America and Africa.
- Explanation: The presence of identical tropical plants on separate continents suggests that these lands were once connected, allowing for the spread of flora before drifting apart.
- Placement: Mark South America and Africa.

#### 7. Igneous Rocks
- Distribution: Igneous rocks are widespread but are particularly notable in regions like the Appalachian Mountains (North America) and the Caledonian Mountains (Europe).
- Explanation: The similarity in igneous rock formations across these continents suggests that they were once part of the same landmass.
- Placement: Mark North America and Europe.

#### 8. Basalt Rocks
- Distribution: Basaltic rocks are found in regions like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and along the coasts of South America and Africa.
- Explanation: Basaltic rocks are associated with volcanic activity at divergent plate boundaries. Their alignment along the coasts of South America and Africa supports the idea of continental separation.
- Placement: Mark South America and Africa.

#### 9. Phytosaur
- Distribution: Phytosaur fossils have been found in both South America and Africa.
- Explanation: Like other fossil evidence, the presence of Phytosaur fossils on both continents suggests that these lands were once connected.
- Placement: Mark South America and Africa.

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Final Map Placement:

- South America and Africa: Mesosaurus Reptile, Desert, Amphibians, Plateosaurus, Tropical Plants, Basalt Rocks, Phytosaur.
- Europe, Asia, and North America: Alpine Mountains, Igneous Rocks.

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Explanation of How Evidence Supports Continental Drift:

1. Fossil Evidence (Mesosaurus, Plateosaurus, Amphibians, Phytosaur): Identical fossils found on separate continents suggest that these lands were once connected, allowing for the movement of animals and plants.
2. Geological Evidence (Alpine Mountains, Igneous Rocks, Basalt Rocks): Similar rock formations and mountain ranges across different continents indicate that these lands were once part of a larger landmass.
3. Environmental Evidence (Desert, Tropical Plants): Similar environments and plant life across continents suggest past connections.

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Final Answer:

\boxed{
\text{Place the evidence as follows:}
- South America and Africa: Mesosaurus Reptile, Desert, Amphibians, Plateosaurus, Tropical Plants, Basalt Rocks, Phytosaur.
- Europe, Asia, and North America: Alpine Mountains, Igneous Rocks.
}