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Simplifying the stratigraphy of time

Simplifying the stratigraphy of time
Simplifying the stratigraphy of time
We propose ending the distinction between the dual stratigraphic terminology of time-rock units (of chronostratigraphy) and geologic time units (of geochronology). The long-held, but widely misunderstood, distinction between these two essentially parallel time scales in stratigraphy has been rendered unnecessary by the widespread adoption of the global stratotype sections and points (GSSP-golden spike) principle in defining intervals of geologic time within rock strata. We consider that the most appropriate name for this stratigraphic discipline is "chronostratigraphy," which would allow "geochronology" to revert to its mainstream and original meaning of numerical age dating. This in turn makes the little- used formal term "geochronometry" redundant. The terms "eonothem," "erathem," "system," "series," and "stage" would become redundant, in favor of "eon," "era," "period," "epoch" and (disputably) "age." Our favored geologic time units may be qualified by "early" and "late," but not by "lower" and "upper." These suggested changes should simplify stratigraphic practice, encompass both stratified and nonstratified rocks, and help geologic understanding, while retaining precision of meaning
0091-7613
1-4
Zalasiewicz, J.
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Smith, A.
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Brenchley, P.
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Evans, J.
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Knox, R.
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Riley, N.
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Gale, A.
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Gregory, F.J.
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Rushton, A.
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Gibbard, P.
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Hesselbo, S.
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Marshall, J.
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Oates, M.
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Rawson, P.
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Trewin, N.
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Zalasiewicz, J.
72e81408-f5ea-4e16-94f9-3892c11ffa30
Smith, A.
f115f8cb-6c76-444b-ba80-7a1d54276da8
Brenchley, P.
3766e2c0-7360-4a72-ac03-5d4e6bce540a
Evans, J.
f551701f-0ce1-4816-8a77-5a87eaf721a3
Knox, R.
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Riley, N.
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Gale, A.
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Gregory, F.J.
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Rushton, A.
9aed5924-8842-4b76-8249-de26b5953255
Gibbard, P.
4501731a-6351-478d-ada7-7b3a90f84218
Hesselbo, S.
c9a3df94-ab9d-4bb0-959b-6592b0dbc047
Marshall, J.
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Oates, M.
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Rawson, P.
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Trewin, N.
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Zalasiewicz, J., Smith, A., Brenchley, P., Evans, J., Knox, R., Riley, N., Gale, A., Gregory, F.J., Rushton, A., Gibbard, P., Hesselbo, S., Marshall, J., Oates, M., Rawson, P. and Trewin, N. (2004) Simplifying the stratigraphy of time. Geology, 32 (1), 1-4. (doi:10.1130/G19920.1).

Record type: Article

Abstract

We propose ending the distinction between the dual stratigraphic terminology of time-rock units (of chronostratigraphy) and geologic time units (of geochronology). The long-held, but widely misunderstood, distinction between these two essentially parallel time scales in stratigraphy has been rendered unnecessary by the widespread adoption of the global stratotype sections and points (GSSP-golden spike) principle in defining intervals of geologic time within rock strata. We consider that the most appropriate name for this stratigraphic discipline is "chronostratigraphy," which would allow "geochronology" to revert to its mainstream and original meaning of numerical age dating. This in turn makes the little- used formal term "geochronometry" redundant. The terms "eonothem," "erathem," "system," "series," and "stage" would become redundant, in favor of "eon," "era," "period," "epoch" and (disputably) "age." Our favored geologic time units may be qualified by "early" and "late," but not by "lower" and "upper." These suggested changes should simplify stratigraphic practice, encompass both stratified and nonstratified rocks, and help geologic understanding, while retaining precision of meaning

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Published date: 2004

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 1372
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/1372
ISSN: 0091-7613
PURE UUID: fda132da-692f-4afe-8c87-0b6a6d68de41
ORCID for J. Marshall: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-9242-3646

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Date deposited: 05 May 2004
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:35

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Contributors

Author: J. Zalasiewicz
Author: A. Smith
Author: P. Brenchley
Author: J. Evans
Author: R. Knox
Author: N. Riley
Author: A. Gale
Author: F.J. Gregory
Author: A. Rushton
Author: P. Gibbard
Author: S. Hesselbo
Author: J. Marshall ORCID iD
Author: M. Oates
Author: P. Rawson
Author: N. Trewin

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