Geology 212:  Term Project

You will need to choose a topic which is being actively researched (e.g. there exist some scientific controversy or unresolved question) and develop a research paper and oral presentation.  Research topics can either be related to some apsect of earthquake hazard, earthquake science, or seismology.

The Final Project will have Four Stages:

I.                   Propose a topic with an abstract justifying your choice (Due 9/17/2004).  The abstract should describe the topic and the scientific question that you will address in the presentation.

II.                Submit an outline of your research paper with an annotated bibliography (Due 10/22).  I will expect to see at least four references to relatively recent papers (younger than 1980).  References to textbooks are OK but you must have paper references as well.

III.             Oral Presentation, 15 Minutes using transparencies, powerpoint, or posters.  Probably Starting 12/06/2004.  I will assign the time slots after receiving all of the topic abstracts.

IV.              Final research paper should contain at least 10 pages of text and figures (more figures means less text).  (Due 12/11/2004)

Possible Research Topics (extra credit if you don't use subjects on this list):

(1)  Earthquake Prediction

 (2)    Slow Earthquakes .

 (3) Monitoring a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

(4)   Intraplate Earthquakes

 (5)    Earthquake Early Warning Systems

(6)   Origin of Deep Earthquakes

(7)  Stress Triggering of Earthquakes

(8)  Paleoseismology and Earthquake Recurrence Intervals

(9)  Earthquakes

OR

(10)  Pick an earthquake which you feel is the most important and give compelling evidence why..

Hints:  You will need to be very specific in your choice to a research topic.  Do not choose a very broad and loose subject that cannot be easily described in a paragraph or two.  Choose a subject which interests you!

Grading

Presentations and papers will be graded on accuracy and clarity of the ideas presented in the paper and presentations.

Paper and talk should be:

1.      Well organized:  containing introduction, data,  results, conclusions

 2.      Clear:  containing grammatically correct text and well annotated figures.

 3.  Well researched and have a complete set of references using current research journals.

4. You should take a particular position and argue convincingly for your position.