2 22 28 8 85 TINE REMAN 01:37: How did Wegener explain why fossils of land animals were found on continents that are across oceans from one another? Animals evolved separately on each continent. Land bridges existed between the continents. Animals swam across the ocean to new continents, Continents were once one landmass and have drifted apart.

Wegener proposed that all continents were once part of a single supercontinent known as Pangaea. This enormous landmass eventually fragmented and drifted apart over millions of years, allowing for the distribution of fossils across what are now widely separated continents. His theory explained the presence of similar fossils of land animals in areas that are now oceans apart, suggesting that these species once lived in the same environment. Despite his groundbreaking ideas, Wegener faced skepticism from many in the scientific community because he could not provide a plausible mechanism for the movement of continents. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century, with the advent of plate tectonics and the understanding of seafloor spreading, that his theories gained the recognition they deserved, transforming our understanding of Earth’s geological history.