User:Cshirc1/homework

Plate Tectonics Wiki-Homework #1

Evidence for Early Evolution of Archaean Life in the South African Barberton Greenstone Belt

Wikipedia Article #1

B). This page broadly discusses the tectonic history of what is considered the oldest supercontinent, and gives some lines of evidence for the age of formation and break-up of the craton.

C). The author(s) Could supply additional images showing the approximate shape and location of the supercontinent, as well as what happened as it broke up.

D). Overall, this page is vague and not very well organized. The first two subsections are essentially the same information phrased in different ways. Some sections are only slightly related to the topic and could probably be full Wikipedia pages if expanded. The introductory paragraph isn't bad, but overall this page needs a lot of work.

E). The singular image on this page is helpful, because it illustrates where portions of this primordial supercontinent are now located. But, they obviously don't go together and I can't seem to find the image citations at the end of the article or near the images.

Wikipedia Article #2

A). Barberton Greenstone Belt

B). This page outlines the tectonic history and regional metamorphism of the Kaapvaal Craton, with a subsection for the Barberton Greenstone Belt.

C). There is a lack of imagery on this page, especially considering its length; the only visual portion is actually half of the exact image in the afore mentioned Valbara page.

D). The information on this page is actually thorough, if incredibly unorganized. The headings of the subsections cover very broad topics as well as specific ones, like one formation in the entire sequence of the Barberton Belt vs. an entire metamorphic suite.

E). The only image in this article is lacking. It shows the location of the Kaapvaal Craton, but doesn't illustrate any geology or even topography of the area, and it would be helpful if the images supplemented the written portion by showing where specific units or geological references mentioned in the article are located.

Wikipedia Article #3

A). Carbonate Platforms

B). This page discusses Carbonate Platform formation and the appearance of platforms in the geologic record, especially with respect to stromatolites.

C). The author of this page throws around geologic terms without explaining them, and occasionally misuses some concepts while attempting to explain others.

D). This page has a good scope with regard to geologic time and carbonate platforms both old and new. However, it has a lot of headings and not a lot of text under each category. Some expansion could be beneficial.

E). There are actually several images in this article, and both are helpful in illustrating key concepts. An additional image could include a longitude/latitude globe showing the general areas where carbonate platforms commonly form.

Article Proposal

Earliest Life in the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa

I. Location and brief geologic overview of Barberton Greenstone Belt (map) II. Tectonic setting=perfect for flourishing and preservation of early life?

   a. Chert vs Stromatolitic preservation (image of living stromatolites in Australia)

II. Evidence for fossilized cellular life

   a. Physical evidence (image of filamentous microfossil in chert)
   b. Isotope evidence 
   c. Environmental (evaporitic/carbonate platform)
   d. Nanoscale evidence
   e. Raman spectroscopy

III. Doubts regarding given evidence.

Original Figure: Geologic Map and/or compilation of light microscope images of microfossils and/or image of Vaalbara supercontinent with highlighted areas showing where fossilized life has been found.