Difference between revisions of "1829: Geochronology"

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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
 
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[[Ponytail]] is describing the origin of some rock formations to [[Megan]] and [[Cueball]]. She apparently forgot the names of the {{w|Plate tectonics|microplates}} and the {{w|Geologic time scale|age}} when the {{w|subduction}} occurred, so she substituties them with {{w|List of dog breeds|names of dog breeds}} to seem knowledgeable and impress her audience.
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[[Ponytail]] is describing the origin of some rock formations to [[Megan]] and [[Cueball]]. She apparently forgot the names of the {{w|Plate tectonics|microplates}} and the {{w|Geologic time scale|age}} when the {{w|subduction}} occurred, so she substituties them with name of {{w|Dog breed|dog breeds}} ({{w|Dalmatian (dog)|Dalmatian}}, {{w|Laika (dog breed)|Laika}} and {{w|Pomeranian (dog)|Pomeranian}}) to seem knowledgeable and impress her audience.
 
 
{{w|Dalmatian (dog)|Dalmatian}}, {{w|Pomeranian (dog)|Pomeranian}}, and {{w|Laika (dog breed)|Laika}} are dog breeds.
 
  
 
The title text mentions Newfoundland and Labrador which together form the Canadian province {{w|Newfoundland and Labrador}}. The joke here is that these two regions also have the dog breeds {{w|Labrador|Labrador Retriever}} and {{w|Newfoundland|Newfoundland}} named after them. The explanation is actually correct, because the mountains on Newfoundland were formed by the movement of the Newfoundland microplate relative to Labrador on the North American plate.
 
The title text mentions Newfoundland and Labrador which together form the Canadian province {{w|Newfoundland and Labrador}}. The joke here is that these two regions also have the dog breeds {{w|Labrador|Labrador Retriever}} and {{w|Newfoundland|Newfoundland}} named after them. The explanation is actually correct, because the mountains on Newfoundland were formed by the movement of the Newfoundland microplate relative to Labrador on the North American plate.

Revision as of 11:09, 26 April 2017

Geochronology
'The mountains near here formed when the ... Newfoundland ... microplate collided with, uhh ... Labrador.' 'Ok, now you're definitely just naming dogs.' 'Wait, no, that's actually almost correct.'
Title text: 'The mountains near here formed when the ... Newfoundland ... microplate collided with, uhh ... Labrador.' 'Ok, now you're definitely just naming dogs.' 'Wait, no, that's actually almost correct.'

Explanation

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If you can address this issue, please edit the page! Thanks.
Ponytail is describing the origin of some rock formations to Megan and Cueball. She apparently forgot the names of the microplates and the age when the subduction occurred, so she substituties them with name of dog breeds (Dalmatian, Laika and Pomeranian) to seem knowledgeable and impress her audience.

The title text mentions Newfoundland and Labrador which together form the Canadian province Newfoundland and Labrador. The joke here is that these two regions also have the dog breeds Labrador Retriever and Newfoundland named after them. The explanation is actually correct, because the mountains on Newfoundland were formed by the movement of the Newfoundland microplate relative to Labrador on the North American plate.

Transcript

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[Cueball, Ponytail, and Megan are standing in a field.]
Ponytail: [Gesturing toward a rock formation] This bedrock likely formed as the Dalmatian microplate subducted under East Laika during the Upper Pomeranian.
Cueball: [Touching his chin thoughtfully] Ah, yes.
[Caption below the panel:]
Geology Tip: There are so many microplates and ages that no one remembers them all, so in a pinch you can bluff with dog breeds.


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Discussion

Have not edited here before, but the explanation given is missing that Munroe is likely using the strict geological definition of age -- the smallest and most numerous standard division of geologic time, and which frequently varies between regions and are indeed essentially impossible to memorize worldwide, even for specialists. (The examples of the Devonian and Permian given in the current explanation are periods, a division of time that is much longer, of which there are many fewer, and which most geologists would have memorized.) This global timescale from the International Commission on Stratigraphy lists the global standard ages on the far right of each column: http://www.stratigraphy.org/ICSchart/ChronostratChart2016-12.jpg This chart, also from the ICS, lists different national conventions of ages in the Ordovician period alone, and gives a good sense of the kinds of names used: http://www.stratigraphy.org/upload/OrdChartHigh.jpg A couple of dog breeds in there would probably not be noticed. Again, haven't edited here before, unsure if I should just go ahead and edit, or wait for discussion. 108.162.246.227 21:17, 26 April 2017 (UTC)

This might help explaining: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tectonic_plates Between the Newfoundland Plate (Canada) and the Labrador part of the Canadian Shield the Appalachian Mountains exist.--141.101.105.150 07:45, 26 April 2017 (UTC)

This link is probably more useful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Newfoundland_and_Labrador I'll leave the detailed explanation to somebody with actual geologic knowledge of the region Condor70 (talk) 09:25, 26 April 2017 (UTC)

Did what I could, including why the title text isn't actually correct. I'm new to writing these, so feel free to adjust link density or general verbiage if I didn't match local conventions for them! Squeamish Ossifrage (talk) 16:43, 26 April 2017 (UTC)


Dalmatia is a place, but apparently doesn't have a microplate. It might be part of the joke since it makes the first listed microplate somewhat believable.

"Laika" may be an island in Vanuatu (thanks, Wikipedia) but it's not a breed, it's only possibly The Most Famous Dog Ever Ever Ever. --141.101.107.18 11:58, 26 April 2017 (UTC)

Apparently it's also a breed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laika_(dog_breed) 162.158.79.5 20:27, 28 April 2017 (UTC)