Chapter 29, Problem 3TE

To determine

The reason for the existence of marine fossils at high elevations.

Answer to Problem 3TE

The reason for the existence of marine fossils at high elevations is the collision of landmasses in the Permian and Carboniferous periods to form changes in landmass elevations after the Devonian period.

Explanation of Solution

During the Devonian period, there were two supercontinents by the names, Laurasia and Gondwanaland, located on either side of the equator. This was the period when the fishes in the seas diversified, and hence the age is known as “the age of the fishes.” However, right after the Devonian period came the Carboniferous period, which led to the closing of the Paleozoic ocean and the formation of major old mountain regions.

Further, during the Permian period, there were major continental form changes that caused a redistribution of sea level and landmass elevations that led to a mass extinction of marine organisms, which are seen as in the form of fossils in presently elevated regions. There are other reasons that caused the mass extinction, such as the sudden climate change and lowering of sea level due to the clustering of landmasses.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the reason for the existence of marine fossils at high elevations is the collision of landmasses in the Permian and Carboniferous periods to form changes in landmass elevations after the Devonian period.