Question

Imagine scientists discovered a new island X (shown below) of area 600 Sq km, a small landmass that probably broke away from the edge of Laurasia during the late Jurassic era, and evolved in isolation. Scientists found fossils of many species of dinosaurs in region I of approximately 160 sq km, and some dinosaurs and other animals of the Jurassic and Cretaceous period were found in region II of about 80 sq km, but no fossils were uncovered from region III of nearly 80 sq km, IV of about 70 sq km and V of about 210 sq km. They believe that all these regions were geographically separated by some massive unknown barrier that the organisms may or may not have been able to surpass. What would be the explored area of this island?

• A. 600 sq km
• B. Region I
• C. Nearly 240 sq km
• D. About 210 sq km
• E. 80 sq km

Answer 1

The correct option is C Nearly 240 sq km

Explored area is the area that has been explored or colonised by organisms. It is different from the total area, in that regions that are not colonised or have not been explored do not form part of the explored area. In this hypothetical scenario, since fossils were found in regions I and II, we can presume that the organisms colonised these two regions, and that they were not able to access the other regions of the island. Region I is about 160 sq km and II is about 80 sq km. Therefore the total explored area would be about 240 sq km.