Use the theory of plate tectonis to explain how similar fossils could be found on africa and south america?

Question

Use the theory of plate tectonis to explain how similar fossils could be found on africa and south america?

Answer 1

Alright the two continents used to be really close together, actually connected.  There was a fault between them where new crust was seeping up from the magma below, and slowly forcing the two sides of the fault to get further and further apart. This fault now lies at the center of the Atlantic ocean which is called its "spreading center".  The two plates are now so far apart they are separate continents (SA and Africa)

However when this used to be only a shallow sea, fossils were laid down when things would swim in it.  These fossils were laid down equally on both sides of the fault, which was in the center of the sea.

Little by little the crust moved apart, cooled, and rose up to form land continents, bringing whatever was laid down years before up to the surface in fossil form. The same things will turn up in Africa and SA because of this.