Goal: To research a topic related to formation of the Basin & Range, to critically analyse your readings, and to condense your findings into a significant research review.

Format: This paper should be no less than 15 typed pages, which will include your references within a Bibliography or References Cited section. A paper of this length should have headings and, perhaps subheadings to make reading easier. Clearly separate your thoughts and analysis of the topic from the ideas presented in your cited references.

Figures: Illustrations are not only welcome, but necessary in a research paper of this length and topic. Feel free to include reproductions of others' figures, but give proper credit. You can also modify illustrations of others, again with proper citation. Note that figures are not included in the 15 page text requirement mentioned above.

References: Your paper should use no less than 10 different references. Web sites are not allowed as a primary source in this paper, although Web sources may be the source of illustrations, such as space images, for example. Journals and books should constitute the your primary references...Remember, this is the minimum. Additional references beyond the required 10 can be whatever you choose, including WEB sites.

Class Presentations: You will be expected to formally discuss your research topic in class for ~15 minutes (see Syllabus). During this presentation, you should succinctly lay out the topic and the major points of your analysis. You should provide some overhead transparencies as visuals (probably the figures from your paper). An alternative presentation would be construction of a WEB page to act as your presentation. If you make a WEB page, you should lead the class through it (using our computer projecter) and highlight the major points.  Let me know in advance if you wish to do this.

General Rules

• All papers will be "typed" (generally on a computer word processor) with margins at 1.5" on the left and 1.0" at the top, bottom and left edges. Fancy covers and binders should not be used.

• Use a font size no larger than 10 or twelve pt. Use Times or Palatino as fonts for your papers.

• Consult your journal and book articles for proper format. Your paper should include an Abstract, Introduction, Conclusions, and References Cited sections at a minimum. Section divisions within the main body of the text will depend upon the subject matter.

• In-text citations and references in the bibliography should be in the style used by publications of the Geological Society of America ("GSA Style"). No other style will be accepted. For examples see both the Readings section of this course's Web pages and your official Department of Geology I.S. Manual passed out the first day of class.

• Do not use footnotes! Do not use quotes!

• Late assignments will be discounted one letter grade for each 24 hour period late.

 Feel free to develop a topic of your choosing for your Research Paper. The following potential topics are examples of the scope and detail expected in these papers.

Tectonics
Contrast models for regional rifting within the Basin & Range
Comparison of rift characteristics between Basin & Range and other rifts
Geophysical signature and models of the Basin & Range

Structure
Formation and significance of metamorphic core complexes
The paradox of low-angle normal faulting and lack of current seismicity
Do detachment faults initially form as low-angle normal faults: pros & cons
Models for rift segmentationhow do normal faults end?

Petrology/Geochemistry
Role of magmatism in Basin & Range rifting
Do magmatic centers control rift structures or visa vera?
Geochemistry and petrology of typical Basin & Range magmas through time
Geochemical and isotopoic signatures for varying mantle/crustal source regions for rift magmas
Fluids and metamorphism within metamorphic core complexes and other detachment terranes Rift control on hydrothermal ore/energy resources

Sedimentology/Paleontology
Origin and significance of the Bouse Formation
Half-graben basins and facies patterns in relationship to progressive rifting
Rift/post-rift sequences in the Rio Grande rift segment of the Basin & Range
Relationship of rift facies patterns and basinal fluid flow (both water and hydrocarbons)