GSSP Rules     

Requirements for establishing a Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) - revised from Remane et al. (1996) according to current procedures and recommendations of the IUGS International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS).

1.  Name and stratigraphic rank of the boundary

     Including concise statement of GSSP definition

2.  GSSP geographic and physical geology:

     Geographic location, including map coordinates;

     Precise location and stratigraphic position of GSSP level and specific point

     Stratigraphic completeness across the GSSP level

     Adequate thickness and stratigraphic extent of section above and below

     Accessibility, including logistics, national politics and property rights

     Provisions for conservation and protection

3.  Primary and secondary markers

     Principal correlation event (marker) at GSSP level

     Other primary and secondary markers – biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, chemical stratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, cycle stratigraphy, other event stratigraphy,  marine-land correlation potential

     Potential age dating from volcanic ashes and/or orbital tuning

     Demonstration of regional and global correlation

4.  Summary of selection process

     Relation of the GSSP to historical usage; references to historical background and adjacent (stage) units;  selected publications

     Other candidates and reasons for rejection; Summary of votes and received comments

     Other useful reference sections

5.  Official publication

     Summary for full documentation in IUGS journal Episodes

     Digital stratigraphy (lith, paleo, mag, chem.). images & graphic files submitted to ICS for public archive

     Full publication (if not in Episodes) in an appropriate journal