---
title: "Evidences of plate tectonics"
subject: "Engineering Geology I"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_3/engineering_geology_i:evidences-of-plate-tectonics"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/evidences-of-plate-tectonics
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Evidences of plate tectonics

Engineering Geology I · Chapter 2: Basic Reviews of the Earth

- Asked in: 2069 Chaitra, 2 marks
- Video: [Plate tectonics: Evidence of plate movement | Cosmology & Astronomy | Khan Academy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EdsBabSZ4g) — Khan Academy
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/evidences-of-plate-tectonics
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/engineering_geology_i/chapter-2

## Question

Mention any three evidences of plate tectonics.

## Short answer

Continents fit like jigsaw pieces; identical fossils and rock belts occur on separated continents; magnetic stripes on the sea floor are symmetrical about mid-ocean ridges, showing new crust forms and spreads outward.

## Answer

Three evidences of plate tectonics:

1. **Fit of continents**: the coastlines of South America and Africa fit like a jigsaw; the match is even better at the edge of the continental shelves.
2. **Fossil and rock similarity**: identical fossils (Glossopteris plant, Mesosaurus reptile) and matching rock types and mountain belts are found on continents now far apart, meaning they were joined.
3. **Sea-floor spreading and magnetic stripes**: rocks on both sides of mid-ocean ridges show symmetrical bands of normal and reversed magnetism, and get older away from the ridge, showing new crust forms at the ridge and moves outward.

(Other evidences: earthquake and volcano belts matching plate edges; ancient glacial deposits in tropical areas.)

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. South America and Africa fit best at:
   A. Coastlines exactly
   B. Edge of continental shelves
   C. Mountains
   D. Rivers
   Answer: B. Shelf edges fit better. (Key point: Fit)

2. Ocean floor rocks get older:
   A. Toward the ridge
   B. Randomly
   C. Away from the ridge
   D. Not at all
   Answer: C. Shows spreading. (Key point: Rock age)

3. Ancient glacial deposits in tropics show:
   A. Ice ages stopped
   B. Glaciers form from volcanoes
   C. Rocks cannot move
   D. Continents moved
   Answer: D. Landmasses drifted. (Key point: Glaciation)

## Related in Engineering Geology I

- [Plate tectonics and plate boundaries](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aplate-tectonics-and-plate-boundaries) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 2, asked 8×
- [Himalaya formation and plate tectonic evidence](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Ahimalaya-formation-and-plate-tectonic) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 2

## Related in other subjects

- [Parallel plate sheets, field in regions](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Felectromagnetism%3Aparallel-plate-sheets-three-regions) — Electromagnetism, chapter 2
- [Timber-steel plate composite member: permissible load](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fstrength_of_materials%3Atimber-steel-composite-permissible-load) — Strength of Materials, chapter 3