2. On the map below, the darkened areas represent locations where living corals currently exist. The arrow points to a location where coral fossils have been found in Devonian-age bedrock in New York State.

Devonian-age coral fossils found in some New York State bedrock are not located in the same general region that present-day corals are living because during the Devonian Period:

A) Corals migrated to New York State

B) Corals lived everywhere on Earth

C) New York State was closer to the equator

D) New York State had a colder climate

Correct Answer: Option C - New York State was closer to the equator

Fossils of stromatoporoid corals, tabulate corals, and small solitary rugose corals found in the facies of the Coeymans and Manlius formations are evidence of this warm climate. Corals require shallow, clear water in which the temperature remains above 18° C (65° F). Most of the corals alive today are located within 30° north or south of the equator and live at or close to sea level. Using a uniformitarian line of reasoning, which allows one to examine current conditions in order to speculate about the past, the presence of coral fossils supports the idea that eastern New York state was once part of a shallow sea located close to the equator.

Hence, options A, B and D are incorrect.