Throughout Earth's history North America has hosted shallow inland seas.Why is the interior of North America dry today?
A)The North American continental crust has thickened significantly since the last inland sea.
B)Sea level has lowered significantly since the last inland sea due to glaciation.
C)The volume of the ocean basins has decreased due to a reduction in the seafloor spreading rate.
D)There is a much higher percentage of oceanic crust today,which has increased the capacity of the oceans.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The thickening of the continental crust has caused a decrease in the amount of available water that can accumulate in shallow inland seas. Instead, the water drains into the surrounding areas or evaporates, which results in a dry interior. Additionally, the uplift of mountain ranges in North America, such as the Rockies and the Appalachians, has contributed to a drier climate in the interior.

Throughout Earth's History North America Has Hosted Shallow Inland Seas