1829: Geochronology
Explanation
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The title text mentions (w|Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland and Labrador), which is a province in Canada, with (w|Newfoundland|Newfoundland (dog)) and (w|Labrador|Labrador Retriever). The joke here is that the two microplates collides into each other, kind of like how the two islands came together to form one province. So when Cueball says it is actually almost correct, he's taking to a island level.
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.
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)