Which phenomenon is evidence of plate tectonics?

The phenomenon of similar fossils found on continents separated by water provides compelling evidence of plate tectonics due to its implications for the historical connectivity of landmasses. Fossils of the same species discovered on continents that are currently distant from each other suggest that these landmasses were once part of a larger, connected supercontinent. This idea aligns with the theory of continental drift, a fundamental aspect of plate tectonics.

As tectonic plates move apart or collide, they reshape the Earth's surface. The presence of similar fossils supports the concept that continents were once joined and have subsequently drifted apart over geological time scales. For example, fossils of the Mesosaurus, a freshwater reptile, have been found in both South America and Africa. This indicates that these continents were once connected, allowing the organism to thrive in a continuous habitat.

The other options, while related to geological features and processes, do not specifically illustrate the connection between fossil distribution and the movement of tectonic plates. Deep sea trenches, earthquakes, and linear mountain ranges can occur due to various geological processes and do not necessarily provide direct evidence of the historical movement of continents in the same way that fossil correlation does.