El Capitan
The issue examined by Roger Putnam (UNC: Chapel Hill) et.al, was the structure and geologic history of El Capitan, a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park. This is a pluton, crystallized from magma, and the researchers sought a better understanding of how such formations are created. Previous research (beginning with Daly, 1933) has suggested that plutons are formed from large reservoirs of magma which solidify enmasse. However, in recent years (since Coleman and Glanzer, 2004), additional evidence has suggested that they may be formed from several smaller sources, although the issue remains controversial and several studies have suggested otherwise. Ultimately, Putnam sought to determine whether the composition of …show more content…
Although many images were taken either from more than a kilometer away, or from teams rappelling the precarious face, the resulting map was accurate to within ten centimeters. After thus developing an unprecedented view of the surface, the researchers then classified the substances forming the structure, noting the distribution of feldspars, quartz, and other minerals. This was done both manually and via computer automation, and accuracy was indicated as the results were within five percent. The researchers also took samples of the rock, which were subjected to analysis including mass …show more content…
To begin with, the authors provide little rationalization for their study. Although they very briefly discuss how this might teach us about the unusual formation of Yosemite, or the difference between other regions where rocks are more brittle and more prone to erosion, they do not provide detail. One might reasonably ask whether the cost of studying this rock might have been better spent in some other pursuit, as good science must not merely seek new knowledge, but must also for data that is relevant. The other problem is associated with the presentation of data, as the researchers included a number of cluttered graphs and excessively obtuse language, “We used the method of Blundy and Cashman (2001) to project Ca-bearing aplite compositions into the ablite-ortho-clase-H20 system to estimate P and the Boehnke et.al (2013) zircon saturation thermometer to estimate T.” (p.1153). Even experts would struggle to understand the meaning of such statements. Good science must not only be technical, but written in a way that non-experts can garner