12. Scientists recently discovered the fossils of ancient whales at altitudes of more
than 1524 meters in a remote plateau of
the Andes Mountains in southern Chile.
Which of the following is the most likely
explanation for the presence of these
fossils 1.5 kilometers (almost a mile)
above sea level?
(1) Wild animals dragged the dead
whales up to the remote plateau.
(2) After the whales died, their bones
floated up to the plateau.
(3) After the whales died, their bones
settled in the ocean sediments that
were then uplifted as the mountains
rose.
(4) At the altitude of 1524 meters,
conditions were just right to preserve
the bones of the whales that died
there.
(5) Whale bones are so huge that they
can only be preserved high up in the
mountains.