Which evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?

• A. Matching coastlines, identical rock formations and fossils across continents, fit of the continents, ocean-floor magnetic stripes, and earthquake/volcano patterns along plate boundaries
• B. The color of rocks on the Moon
• C. Seasonal weather patterns across continents
• D. Desert distributions across continents

Answer: (A)

Evidence that plate tectonics is true comes from several clues that fit together, showing how Earth’s crust moves. When you put continents together, their coastlines line up like puzzle pieces, and you can find matching rock formations and fossils on continents that are now far apart. This suggests those landmasses were once connected. Ocean-floor magnetic stripes reveal patterns of sea-floor spreading at mid-ocean ridges, with magnetic minerals recording reversals of Earth’s field over time. Along with this, earthquakes and volcanoes tend to occur along the edges of tectonic plates, marking plate boundaries. Taken together, these kinds of evidence build a consistent picture that Earth’s outer shell is made of moving plates.

The other options don’t provide relevant evidence for plate tectonics. The color of rocks on the Moon doesn’t relate to Earth’s crust movements, seasonal weather patterns aren’t about how continents move, and desert distributions reflect climate and geography rather than evidence of plate motion.