User:Gheard1/sandbox

1) Topic: Rifting

A) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rift_(geology) B) This page is a general information page dealing with general explanations of geological processes, geometry, rift development, magnetism, and economic importance. C) Possible alterations include 1) more information on magnetism and 2) economic importance. D) This page clearly communicates the general information of rifting and its causes. Improvable parts of this page would be an explanation/discussion of extensional tectonics. E) Visual communication on this page is Spartan, that is, there are only 2 figures on this page for such a large topic. To the writer’s credit, there are a vast number of examples (links) of world wide rifts. A) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graben B) This page specifically covers Grabens and their association with the formation of rifts, both terrestrial and lunar. C) Possible alterations include 1) a stronger connection between Grabens and rifting and 2) more information about prominent Grabens. D) This page is successful in identifying Graben structure and differentiating the half-graben. Some technical terminology could be simply explained without hyperlinks. Also, some citations are missing. E) Visual communication on this page is adequate, but with only 4 figures, it lacks visual stimulation to encourage curiosity.

A) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Grande_Rift B) This page is specific to the Rio Grade rift complex- it’s geology and Geologic history. C) Possible alterations include 1) Is this rift active- evidence for and against. 2) Is this rift a danger/asset to any major population areas? D) This page is successful in describing the setting of this rift, both geographically and geologically. Since this page can be used and seen by both professionals and students, I would improve on the un-explained terminology to make it a better read. This phrase “The rift is presently nearly tectonically quiescent…” has a [clarification needed] [citation needed] next to it in the text body. E) Visual communication through the figures of this page are actually the best part. It is easy to understand concepts because of the figures on cross-sections, seismic data, magma location and geographic location of the rift. Figure improvement would be difficult, given how well the figures support the page.

2) Rifts: Geological and Geopolitical Importance for the 21st Century A) Outline: I. Rifts- What are they? A. Geological mechanisms 1. Rift Development 2. Morphology (Structure) B. Geographical locations 1. Continental 2. Oceanic II. Economic Importance of Rifts A. Oil & Gas Deposits B. Mineral Deposits III. Geopolitical Importance A. Dangers to population areas B. Environmental concerns IV. Conclusions/recommendations

B) I believe this topic would be of wide interest to scholars and professionals alike across a wide spectrum of study, including geology, environmental science, economics and geopolitical sciences. C) I plan to structure my pages by following the outline to draw cohesiveness and lucidity to the topic. Figures will include a rift process diagram (oceanic/continental), world map with rift locations and their nearness to population centers vs. oil, mineral and gas deposits, a chart of outgassing composition from volcanic rifts, and a history of earthquake activity near rift zones.