User:Mausbu1/WikiHomework

GEOL 4066: Plate Tectonics WIKIPEDIA START-UP HOMEWORK

Topic: Bangong-Nujiang Suture

Plate Tectonic Topics

Wikipedia Article 1

A) [1] B) This page provides general information on the location of the Himalayas and geologic processes, the origin and evolution of the area, as well as a breakdown of the major tectonic units. C) The article could include a section on explanations for how thickening (due to convergence) is accommodated. Several models have been proposed to explain the unique deformation resulting from the collision of India into Eurasia. Two end member models, thin viscous sheet and microplate tectonics could be included in this section. D) In terms of written communication, the section with the heading "Major tectonic subdivisions of the Himalaya is successful. It clearly divides the orogen into 4 major divisions with appropriate subdivisions where applicable. Useful information that helps define these units is provided such as ages and general composition. An improvable part would be the sometimes biased language found throughout the article such as, "The geology of the Himalaya is a record of the most dramatic and visible creations of modern plate tectonic forces". This is the first sentence in the article and is too strongly worded to be neutral for an encyclopedia article. E) In terms of visual communication, the model of India's northward movement towards Eurasia over time (Fig. 4) is an effective diagram for the plate movement that created today's Himalayan orogen. An unsuccessful aspect are the figures that show the break off of India. More diagrams should have been included that show the continued movement and collision of India into Eurasia.

Wikipedia Article 2

A) [2] B) This page gives a very limited definition of strike-slip faults and describes some specific types of strike-slip faults as well as environments where this type of fault is likely to occur. C) This page could add more to the opening section such as the difference between sinistral and dextral strike-slip faults. D) In terms of written communication, the section succeeds in its description of flower structures. It effectively relays the information in a way that is understandable to an intro geology student by including definitions for the more technical geologic vocabulary. The article fails to give a good basic understanding of strike-slip faults. It gives a one sentence definition and then jumps straight into riedel shear and flower structures (article fails to give a basic comprehensive view of strike-slip faults). E) A successful visual component of this page is the diagram depicting flower structures. It is simple and provides a nice cross-sectional view of the structure in the subsurface. What is unsuccessful is the exclusion of a simple block diagram showing left and right lateral shear. Once again, the author(s) fails to start basic and then work up to more complicated specific structures.

Wikipedia Article 3

A) [3] B) This article gives general information on subduction including an an explanation as to why subduction occurs, the effects (i.e., volcanoes, earthquakes, etc.), and general geometries. C) The article is fairly detailed but could use a section that outlines the shape and geometry of subduction zone trenches. D) A successful part of the article's written communication is its "General description" section. It is written in a neutral unbiased language that is easily understood by the average reader. An unsuccessful part is the lack of citations. Two entire sections lack a single citation (both "earthquakes and tsunamis" and "orogeny"). E) Visually the page is fairly successful. It provides multiple diagrams showing subduction that relay the same information in varying degrees as to appeal to multiple audiences. What is unsuccessful are the captions on the diagrams. Many are lacking any kind of explanation or connection to the article.

Proposal

Outline

A) Introduction- include general geologic background of the Himalayas from the collision of India into Eurasia in the Cenozoic to the formation and deformation of the Tibetan Plateau. This will provide the backdrop to then discuss the formation and reactivation of suture zones (including the Bangong suture). B) Bangong suture- include information such as geographical location and formation (Lhasa-Qiangtang collision). C) Competing theories- introduce various theories that propose explanations as to how the Tibetan Plateau formed:

"soft Tibet"
micro plate tectonics

D) Conclusion- summary as well as future research possibilities.

Value

The value for a wider audience is that a discussion of the Bangong suture provides a prime example as to how convergence is accommodated in a continent-continent collisional setting. The convergence of India into Eurasia and subsequent thickening and deformation is still not fully understood. By examining a specific suture zone, one can better understand how the regional tectonics are behaving. In terms of a more specific audience, there are currently no wikipedia articles containing information on the Bangong suture. For an academic or structure student, this would be the only information available on the Bangong suture through Wikipedia. It is valuable for building a more comprehensive view of Tibetan tectonics.

Structure

The article will be structured in an informal manner as its general intended purpose is to educate the masses (the average Wikipedia reader), not necessarily geoscientists. Its headings will follow closely to the above written outline. An original figure will include a map view of the Bangong suture. It is important to understand the general geology of the region including current lithologies and fault structures.

Extra Credit

This image was designed using Adobe Illustrator through LSU's Student Virtual Lab. I used the ellipse tool to form the main pumpkin body than the pen tool to create the stem and eyes and mouth by creating multiple anchor points. I tried making a nose but it looked stupid. The idea came from Corey Shircliff who inspired me with her own beautiful pumpkin.