Category: Geology

For your final report you will be writing an informational research paper on a particular earthquake in
recorded history. It should be typed, between 1000 – 2000 words, and double spaced with 12 pt font.
Your report should include topics such as the geological characteristics of the area, the seismological
implications of the earthquake, the shaking, seismic models, etc. You can also include information on
additional hazards that were caused by the earthquake (landslides, liquefaction, tsunamis, etc.).
Although you can include some information on random facts like the fatalities and damage to structures,
it should not be the primary focus of your report. This report should be focused on geologic and
geophysical topics! You are encouraged to include figures and images, including shake maps, fault
models, images of damage/destruction, seismograms, etc. These can be great visual aids to get your
point across!
Be sure to make use of various sources and resources! There is an attached resource list on the next two
pages to help get you started.  

Find 3 rocks that are used in the environment around you. Examples: kitchen counter top, garden
border, rocky paths, building floors, decorative rocks…etc. You will have to prepare a poster or a
document or a slide deck presentation reporting for each rock:
Rock picture with scale
Full description of the rock
Rock classification
Geological context in which the rock was formed
Attempt to reconstruct the sequences of processes for the formation of each rock
The 3 rocks identified needs to be different one from the other.
1 igneous, 1 sedimentary and 1 metamorphic rock is preferable, but not mandatory.”
As mentioned the format can be a text file, a presentation or a poster, as you like.

From the index in the text book (or slides), choose a topic that interests you. Keep as narrow as possible. Your topic MUST be trying to determine something. It CANNOT be purely descriptive.
Submit topic for approval via e-mail ASAP – everyone gets a different topic on first come first served basis. You’re taking a chance not getting topic approved.
Obtain from internet and/or library two recent reputable articles on the topic. Do not use popular magazines, newspapers or children’s books. “Wikipedia” like materials are not allowed, but can be used to obtain other materials. You may use any sources suggested in the text and I can help you with suggestions too so just e-mail me.
Write a 3-to-4-page double spaced typewritten essay on the topic (size 12, times new roman or arial font) (don’t count title or citation pages). You must use the outline below EXACTLY AS IT IS SHOWN. This means I have to see the 6 topic headings written out exactly as shown when I read your essay.
Failure to use the outline exactly as shown – 4 points (out of 10) taken off.
Failure to provide the text pages (or slide numbers) in section II- 2 points (out of 10) taken off.
Failure to attach copies of both articles – paper gets handed back on the spot and not accepted until the articles are attached. If this happens on the due date, the paper is counted as late.
Points get taken off your final grade if you hand it in after the due date. For every day late. -1 point. NO EXCEPTIONS!
If you miss handing it in by the final exam (via online submission on blackboard), I will not count the paper at all. There are no “incompletes” for the paper. 10 of 100 points get taken off your final grade. If you were running an A on the tests, the highest you would get is a “B”.
OUTLINE
(Title page with your name, subject, topic title etc.)
Objective – what you are trying to achieve with this paper (largely a comparison between the text book and the article, concluding with your own opinion).
What the text book has to say about the subject  You must make note of the pages in the textbook so I can review the material. You can also use slide numbers.
What the first article has to say about the subject You must attach a copy of the article so I can review the material. If you get it off the internet, you must provide the “address” as well. When you submit your paper you can attach the articles as files.
What the second article has to say about the subject   
Compare the articles and the textbook  How do they agree? How do they differ? Perhaps the articles are the result of later research and findings. If so, please make a note of it.
Conclusion So what? What did you get out of this exercise? Did it give you any better appreciation for the course itself? Is there any broader application of this than meets the eye? What do you think? What’s your opinion? You should have one by now!
References – You can use APA, MLA, or Chicago. A useful website is: https://www.scribbr.com/apa-citation-generator/new/webpage/

For each of the two papers, you will select one topic each from this class. You will write a 3-4 page paper over the topic. Normal margins and 1.5 line spacing, 12 font. You will start at the top of page one and continue. Indent your paragraphs. You must cite (APA style) at least three different references.

RESEARCH QUESTION:  How has infustrial pollution from surroudning urban regions impacted the Hudson River and its ecosystems & local communities?   
Guidelines
1) The motivation is the context of the scientific, management, or policy problem you indent do address.  The motivation is also professional, and *not* personal: e.g. your motivation would *not* be “I am from New Jersey so am interested in flooding there.”
2)  The research question(s) are the central anchor of your whole project, and the rest of the paper will be evaluated against whether you have successfully addressed this question.  
LITERATURE BASED REVIEW!
3) Indicate whether your project is based on literature review.  Your project can be primarily a literature review of research that provide motivation and/or address your research question,  In your paper, identify that it is a literature based review. The length and other requirements for both types of paper:
•      Literature review papers require >=10 references total, including at least 7 peer-reviewed references in the final draft     
•    Use parenthetical in-text citations.  Every citation listed in the bibliography needs to be cited in-text at least once. 
Example of in-text citation:
“Watershed analysis facilitates an integrated approach to addressing the connections between land use and aquatic ecosystems at the landscape scale (Montgomery et al, 1995).”
•   
Reference list format should follow APA guidelines:  https://www.easybib.com/reference/guide/apa/journal (https://www.easybib.com/reference/guide/apa/journal).  Do include the DOI (digital object identifier) where possible *instead of* a URL to the journal website.
Example Reference list.
Montgomery DR, Grant GE, Sullivan K (1995) Watershed analysis as a framework for
implementing ecosystem management. Water Resour Bull 31:369–386. 
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.1995.tb04026.x (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.1995.tb04026.x)