Recent Developments in the Geological Time Scale
|
The milestone publications on the Geologic Time Scale in 2004 and 2012 (respectively GTS2004 and GTS2012) have spurned major developments and advances in Geologic Time Scale research. High-resolution radiometric dating and stable isotope stratigraphy, astrochronology, geomathematics and numerical strategies are furnishing major improvements. We stand at the brink of truly high-resolution standardized stratigraphy, using tight series of dedicated radiometric and chemostratigraphic results for longer intervals of time. At the same time, orbital tuning of sedimentary and stable isotope cycles, and floating segments of such cyclic sequences also subdivide stages at a resolution superior to biostratigraphy. Advanced stable isotope stratigraphy detects diachronous fossil event correlations where deficient sampling strategy, time transgressive biota distribution or taxonomic issues may at stake. The spectacular scientific developments demand that definition and correlation of Global Boundary and Stratotype Section and Points (GSSP’s) makes more progress, with over 35 Phanerozoic stages not yet having formal definitions. Formal definition of substages, several of which are over 10 my long, also needs focus. ||This symposium aims to provide the global earth science community with insight in the improvements and issues on the standard Geologic Time Scale. The oral session will be complemented with a large poster session to allow extension of important scientific discussions in a less formal setting.
|
Felix Gradstein, James Ogg and Laurence Robb
|