How is the merging of continents to form Pangaea believed to have altered Earth's environments at the end of the Paleozoic era?
A) It eliminated all multicellular eukaryotes, allowing evolution to start anew.
B) Shallow coastal areas were drained, leading to the extinction of many marine species.
C) Climates warmed and moistened in the center of the new landmass.
D) It prompted an immediate increase in Earth's biodiversity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The merging of continents to form Pangaea caused the shallow coastal areas to become inland, which led to the extinction of many marine species that could not survive in the new conditions. This is known as the Permian-Triassic extinction event, which was the largest extinction event in Earth's history.

How Is the Merging of Continents to Form Pangaea Believed