Critically analyse certain aspects of Guimaraes et al 2020 related to mantle plume theory
This question asks you to critically analyse certain aspects of Guimarães et al. (2020) related to
mantle plume theory.
(a) (6 marks) First, read the abstract of the scientific paper that is shown in the attached document. Note that I have used highlighting to split the abstract into the following categories:
- background (orange: first sentence)
- methods (blue: second sentence)
- results (green: third sentence)
- conclusions (pink: fourth and fifth sentences).
Now split the abstract of Guimarães et al. (2020) into these four categories (or fewer, if appropriate). You can do this either on a digital copy using your preferred software program, or on a paper copy using highlighter pens (you will need to paste a scanned image into your TMA document). If you think certain sentences don’t fit into any of these four categories, you should highlight them using a different colour and briefly explain your reasoning. (Annotated abstract and no more than three short sentences)
(b) (12 marks) Now identify the aspects of the paper that are listed below. You may be able to
recognise these points during a quick skim-read, targeting the Abstract, Methods, Geochronology, Geochemistry and Discussion. Try not to focus too much on technical details of the data. You should not need to refer to any supporting information mentioned in the paper (for instance, there is sufficient information on the techniques in the article itself to answer point 2). For point 3, briefly explain why your chosen result is more important than the other results in the paper. (Advisory limit: 250 words overall)
Identify: the main research question that the study attempts to answer (One concise sentence)
the critical technique(s) on which the message of the article is based (Concise bulleted list) the key result in the paper (with your justification). (One or two short sentences each for the key
result and the explanation/justification)
(c) (6 marks) In your opinion, do the results documented in this paper support, or undermine, the mantle plume theory? Write a short paragraph explaining your answer. Consider arguments for and against, assessing what relative weight they carry, and judge whether, overall, they support or undermine plume theory. You may find the Introduction and Discussion sections helpful here.
The full reference is:
Guimarães, A. R., Fitton, J. G., Kirstein, L. A., and Barfod, D. N. (2020) “Contemporaneous intraplate magmatism on conjugate South Atlantic margins: A hotspot conundrum”, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 536, 116147 [Online]. DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116147 (Accessed 14 August 2021).
Answer preview for Critically analyse certain aspects of Guimaraes et al 2020 related to mantle plume theory
Access the full answer containing 430 words by clicking the below purchase button.