|
Stage
|
Age (Ma) CGTS 2008
|
GSSP Location
|
Latitude, Longitude
|
Boundary Level
|
Correlation Events
|
Status
|
Reference
|
| Quaternary |
| Holocene Series |
0.0117 |
NorthGRIP ice core, central Greenland |
75.10°N 42.32°W |
1492.45m depth in Borehole NGRIP2 |
End of the Younger Dryas cold spell, which is reflected in a shift in deuterium excess values |
Ratified 2008 |
Episodes 31/2, 2008 |
| Pleistocene |
| Upper Pleistocene (Tarantian) |
0.126 |
Amsterdam-Terminal borehole, Netherlands |
52°22'45"N 4°54'52"E |
63.5 m below surface |
Base of warm marine isotope stage 5e, before final glacial episode of Pleistocene. |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Middle Pleistocene (Ionian) |
0.781 |
Candidate sections in Italy (Montalbano Jorica or Valle di Manche) and Japan (Chiba) |
|
|
Magnetic -- Brunhes-Matuyama magnetic reversal (base of Chron 1n) |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Calabrian |
1.806 |
Vrica, Italy |
39°02'18.61"N 17°08'05.79"E |
base of the marine claystone overlying the sapropelic marker Bed 'e' |
~15 kyr after end of Olduvai normal polarity chron |
Ratified 1985 |
Episodes 8/2, 1985 |
| Neogene |
| Pliocene |
| Gelasian (currently in Pliocene) |
2.588 |
Monte San Nicola, Sicily, Italy |
37°08'48.8"N 14°12'12.6"E* |
base of marly layer overlying sapropel MPRS 250 with an age of 2.588 Ma |
precessional cycle 250 from the present, Marine Isotope Stage 103, with an age of 2.588 Ma |
Ratified 1996 |
Episodes 21/2, 1998 |
| Piacenzian |
3.600 |
Punta Piccola, Sicily, Italy |
37°17'20"N 13°29"36"E* |
base of the beige marl bed of small-scale carbonate cycle 77 with an age of 3.6Ma |
precessional excursion 347 from the present with an astrochronological age estimate of 3.600 Ma |
Ratified 1997 |
Episodes 21/2, 1998 |
| Zanclean |
5.332 |
Eraclea Minoa, Sicily, Italy |
37°23'30"N 13°16'50"E |
base of the Trubi Formation |
Insolation cycle 510 counted from the present with an age of 5.33Ma |
Ratified 2000 |
Episodes 23/3, 2000 |
| Miocene |
| Messinian |
7.246 |
Oued Akrech, Morocco |
33°56'13"N 6°48'45"W |
reddish layer of sedimentary cycle number 15 |
first regular occurrence of planktonic foraminifer Globorotalia miotumida and the FAD of the calcareous nannofossil Amaurolithus delicatus |
Ratified 2000 |
Episodes 23/3, 2000 |
| Tortonian |
11.61 |
Monte dei Corvi Beach, near Ancona, Italy |
43°35'12"N 13°34'10"E |
mid-point of sapropel layer of basic cycle number 76. |
Last Common Occurrences of the calcareous nannofossil Discoaster kugleri and the planktonic foraminifer Globigerinoides subquadratus |
Ratified 2003 |
Episodes 28/1, 2005 |
| Serravallian |
13.82 |
Ras il Pellegrin section, Fomm Ir-Rih Bay, west coast of Malta |
35°54'50"N 14°20'10"E |
formation boundary between the Globigerina Limestone and Blue Clay |
Mi3b oxygen-isotopic event (global cooling episode); near LAD of calcareous nannofossil Sphenolithus heteromorphus |
Ratified 2006 |
|
| Langhian |
15.97 |
Potentially in astronomically-tuned ODP core (Leg 154) or in Italy (Moria or La Vedova ) |
|
|
Near FAD of planktonic foraminifer Praeorbulina glomerosa and top of magnetic polarity chronozone C5Cn.1n |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Burdigalian |
20.43 |
Potentially in astronomically-tuned ODP core |
|
|
Near FAD of planktonic foraminifer Globigerinoides altiaperturus or near top of magnetic polarity chronozone C6An |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Aquitanian (base Neogene) |
23.03 |
Lemme-Carrioso Section, Allessandria Province, Italy |
44°39'32"N 08°50'11"E |
35m from the top of the section |
Base of magnetic polarity chronozone C6Cn.2n; FAD of planktonic foraminifer Paragloborotalia kugleri; near extinction of calcareous nannofossil Reticulofenestra bisecta (base Zone NN1); Oxygen isotopic event Mi-1. |
Ratified 1996 |
Episodes 20/1, 1997 |
| Paleogene |
| Oligocene |
| Chattian |
28.40 |
Possibly Monte Cagnero, Umbria-Marche region, Italy |
|
|
Potentially extinction of planktonic foraminifer Chiloguembelina (base Foram Zone P21b); or an isotopic/climatic event |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Rupelian |
33.9 |
Massignano, near Ancona, Italy |
43°31'58.2"N 13°36'03.8"E* |
base of a 0.5m thick greenish-grey marl bed 19m above base of section |
Foraminifer LAD Hantkenina and Cribrohantkenina |
Ratified 1992 |
Episodes 16/3, 2001 |
| Eocene |
| Priabonian |
37.2 |
Alano section, Piave River; Veneto Prealps, Belluno province, N. Italy |
|
Tiziano Bed |
Near FAD of calcareous nannofossil Chiasmolithus oamaruensis (base Zone NP18) |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Bartonian |
40.4 |
Contessa highway section near Gubio, Central Apennines, Italy |
|
|
Near extinction of calcareous nannofossil Reticulofenestra reticulata |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Lutetian |
48.6 |
candidate is Agost section, Murcia province, Betic Cordilleras, Spain |
|
|
Planktonic foraminifer FAD of Hantkenina |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Ypresian |
55.8 |
Dababiya, near Luxor, Egypt |
25°30'N 32°31'52"E** |
Base of Bed 1 in DBH subsection |
base of the Carbon Isotope Excursion (CIE) |
Ratified 2003 |
Micropaleontology 49/1, 2003 |
| Paleocene |
| Thanetian |
58.7 |
Zumaia section, northern Spain |
43º18’02”N 2º15’34”W |
|
Magnetic polarity chronozone, base of C26n |
Ratified 2008 |
|
| Selandian |
61.1 |
Zumaia section, northern Spain |
43º18’02”N 2º15’34”W |
Base of the red marls of Itzurun Formation |
Onset of a carbon isotope shift and sea-level drop |
Ratified 2008 |
|
| Danian (base Paleogene) |
65.5 |
Oued Djerfane, west of El Kef, Tunisia |
36°09'13.2"N 8°38'54.8"E |
reddish layer at the base of the 50cm thick, dark boundary clay |
Iridium geochemical anomaly. Associated with a major extinction horizon (foraminifers, calcareous nannofossils, dinosaurs, etc.) |
Ratified 1991 |
Episodes 29/4, 2006 |
|
Stage
|
Age (Ma) CGTS 2008
|
GSSP Location
|
Latitude, Longitude
|
Boundary Level
|
Correlation Events
|
Status
|
Reference
|
| Cretaceous |
| Late Cretaceous |
| Maastrichtian |
70.6 |
Tercis les Bains, Landes, France |
43°40'46.1"N 1°06'47.9"W* |
level 115.2 on platform IV of the geological site at Tercis les Bains |
Mean of 12 biostratigraphic criteria of equal importance. Closely above is FAD of ammonite Pachydiscus neubergicus. Boreal proxy is FAD of belemnite Belemnella lanceolata. |
Ratified 2001 |
Episodes 24/4, 2001 |
| Campanian |
83.5 |
candidates are in southern England and in Texas |
|
|
Crinoid, extinction of Marsupites testudinarius |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Santonian |
85.8 |
Leading candidates are Olazagutia (Spain) and Ten-Mile Creek (Texas) |
|
|
Inoceramid bivalve, FAD of Cladoceramus undulatoplicatus |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Coniacian |
89.3 |
Leading candidates are in Poland (Slupia Nadbrzena), USA (Pueblo, Colorado), and Germany (Salzgitter-Salder Quarry) |
|
|
Inoceramid bivalve, FAD of Cremnoceramus rotundatus (sensu Tröger non Fiege) |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Turonian |
93.6 |
Pueblo, Colorado, USA |
38°16'56"N 104°43'39"W* |
base of Bed 86 of the Bridge Creek Limestone Member |
Ammonite FAD Watinoceras devonense |
Ratified 2003 |
Episodes 28/2, 2005 |
| Cenomanian |
99.6 |
Mount Risou, Hautes-Alpes, France |
44°23'33"N 5°30'43"E |
36 meters below the top of the Marnes Bleues Formation on the south side of Mont Risou |
Planktonic foraminifer FAD Rotalipora globotruncanoides |
Ratified 2002 |
Episodes 27/1, 2004 |
| Early Cretaceous |
| Albian |
112.0 |
Southeastern France |
|
|
Candidates include: (1) calcareous nannofossil, FAD of Praediscosphaera columnata (= P. cretacea of some earlier studies), (2) carbon-isotope excursion (black-shale episode), (3) ammonite |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Aptian |
125.0 |
candidate is Gorgo a Cerbara, Piobbico, Umbria-Marche, central Italy |
|
|
Magnetic polarity chronozone, base of M0r; near base of Paradeshayesites oglanlensis ammonite zone |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Barremian |
130.0 |
candidate is Río Argos near Caravaca, Murcia Province, Spain |
|
|
Ammonite, FAD of Spitidiscus hugii – Spitidiscus vandeckii group |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Hauterivian |
133.9 |
candidate is La Charce village, Drôme Province, southeast France |
|
|
Ammonite, FAD of genus Acanthodiscus (especially A. radiatus) |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Valanginian |
140.2 |
candidates are near Montbrun-les-Bains (Drôme province, SE France) and Cañada Luenga (Betic Cordillera, S. Spain) |
|
|
Calpionellid, FAD of Calpionellites darderi (base of Calpionellid Zone E); followed by the FAD of ammonite “Thurmanniceras” pertransiens |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Berriasian (base Cretaceous) |
145.5 |
|
|
|
Maybe near FAD of ammonite Berriasella jacobi |
Anticipated 2009 |
|
| Jurassic |
| Late Jurassic |
| Tithonian |
150.8 |
candidates are Mt. Crussol or Canjuers (SE France) and Fornazzo (Sicily, S. Italy) |
|
|
Near base of Hybonoticeras hybonotum ammonite zone and lowest occurrence of Gravesia genus, and the base of magnetic polarity chronozone M22An |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Kimmeridgian |
155.6 |
candidate is Flodigarry (Isle of Skye, NW Scotland) |
|
|
Ammonite, near base of Pictonia baylei ammonite zone of Boreal realm |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Oxfordian |
161.2 |
candidates are Savouron (Provence, SE France) and Redcliffe Point (Dorset, SW England) |
|
|
Ammonite Cardioceras redcliffense Horizon at base of the Cardioceras scarburgense Subzone (Quenstedtoceras mariae Zone) |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Middle Jurassic |
| Callovian |
164.7 |
candidate is Pfeffingen, Swabian Alb, SW Germany |
|
|
Ammonite, FAD of the genus Kepplerites (Kosmoceratidae) (defines base of Macrocephalites herveyi Zone in sub-Boreal province of Great Britain to southwest Germany) |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Bathonian |
167.7 |
Ravin du Bès, Bas-Auran area, Alpes de Haute Provence, France |
43°57'38"N 6°18'55"E* |
base of limestone bed RB07 |
Ammonite, FAD of Gonolkite convergens (defines base of Zigzagiceras zigzag Zone) |
Ratified 2008 |
|
| Bajocian |
171.6 |
Murtinheira Section, Cabo Mondego, Portugal |
40°11'57"N 8°54'15"W* |
base of Bed AB11 of the Murtinheira Section |
Ammonite FAD Hyperlioceras mundum, H. furcatum, Braunsina aspera, B. elegantula |
Ratified 1996 |
Episodes 20/1, 1997 |
| Aalenian |
175.6 |
Fuentelsaz, Spain |
41°10'15"N 1°50'W |
base of Bed FZ 107 in Fuentelsaz Section |
Ammonite FAD Leioceras opalinum and Leioceras lineatum |
Ratified 2000 |
Episodes 24/3, 2001 |
| Early Jurassic |
| Toarcian |
183.0 |
Peniche (Portugal) |
|
|
Ammonite, near FAD of a diversified Eodactylites ammonite fauna; correlates with the NW European Paltus horizon. |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Pliensbachian |
189.6 |
Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire Coast, England |
54°24'25"N 0°29'51"W |
base of Bed 73b at Wine Haven, Robin Hood’s Bay |
ammonite association of Bifericeras donovani and Apoderoceras sp. |
Ratified 2005 |
Episodes 29/2, 2006 |
| Sinemurian |
196.6 |
East Quantoxhead, SW England |
51°11'27.3"N 3°14'11.2"W* |
0.90 m above the base of Bed 145 |
Ammonite FAD Vermiceras quantoxense, Vermiceras palmeri |
Ratified 2000 |
Episodes 25/1, 2002 |
| Hettangian (base Jurassic) |
199.6 |
candidate is Kuhjoch section, Tyrol, Austria |
|
|
FAD of first species (Psiloceras spelae) of Psiloceras ammonite group; significantly above a sharp negative carbon-isotope excursion |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Triassic |
| Late Triassic |
| Rhaetian |
203.6 |
Key sections in Austria, British Columbia (Canada), and Turkey |
|
|
Near FAD of ammonite Cochloceras, conodonts Misikella spp. and Epigondolella mosheri, and radiolarian Proparvicingula moniliformis |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Norian |
216.5 |
Candidates are Black Bear Ridge in British Columbia (Canada) and Pizzo Mondello, Sicily (Italy) |
|
|
Base of Stikinoceras kerri ammonoid zone and near FAD of Metapolygnathus echinatus within the M. communisti conodont zones |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Carnian |
228.7 |
Prati di Stuores, Dolomites, Italy. Important reference sections in Spiti (India) and New Pass, Nevada (USA). |
46°31'37"N 11°55'49"E |
base of marly limestone bed SW4, 45m from base of San Cassiano Formation |
Near FADs of the ammonoid Daxatina, the conodont "Paragondolella" polygnathiformis and Halobia bivalves. Just above base of S2n magnetic polarity zone and above the maximum flooding surface of Sequence Lad 3 of Hardenbol et al (1998). |
Ratified 2008? |
Albertiana 36, 2007 |
| Middle Triassic |
| Ladinian |
237.0 |
Bagolino, Province of Brescia, Northern Italy |
45°49'09.5"N 10°28'15.5"E |
base of a 15 – 20cm thick limestone bed overlying a distinctive groove (“Chiesense groove”) of limestone nodules in a shaly matrix, located about 5m above the base of the Buchenstein Beds |
Ammonite FAD Eoprotrachyceras curionii (base of the E. curionii zone). Conodont FAD Budurovignathus praehungaricus is in the uppermost Anisian. |
Ratified 2005 |
Episodes 28/4, 2005 |
| Anisian |
245.9 |
Candidate section at Desli Caira (Dobrogea, Romania); significant sections in Guizhou Province (China) and South Primorye (Russia) |
45°04'27"N 28°48'08"E |
In Section B, the GSSP level will be either the FAD of conodont Chiosella timorensis at the base of Bed GR7 at ca. 7 m; OR the base of magnetozone MT1n at the 5.7 m level. |
Conodont FAD Chiosella timorensis or Magnetic -- base of magnetic normal-polarity chronozone MT1n |
Anticipated 2008 |
Albertiana 36, 2007. |
| Early Triassic |
| Olenekian |
249.5 |
Candidate GSSP Mud (Muth) village, Spiti valley, northwest India |
31°57'55.5"N 78°01'28.5"E |
base of Bed 13A-2, about 4.8m up in Mikin Formation., Section M04 (~4000 m elevation |
Conodont FAD of Neospathodus waageni, just above base of Rohillites rohilla ammonite zone, and below lowest occurrence of Flemingites and Euflemingites ammonite genera. Within a prominent positive Carbon-13 peak, and just above widely recognizable sequence boundary. |
Anticipated 2008 |
Albertiana 36, 2007. |
| Induan (base Triassic) |
251.0 |
Meishan, Zhejiang Province, China |
31° 4'47.28"N 119°42'20.90"E |
base of Bed 27c in the Meishan Section |
Conodont FAD Hindeodus parvus |
Ratified 2001 |
Episodes 24/2, 2001 |
|
Stage
|
Age (Ma) CGTS 2008
|
GSSP Location
|
Latitude, Longitude
|
Boundary Level
|
Correlation Events
|
Status
|
Reference
|
| Permian |
| Lopingian |
| Changhsingian |
253.8 |
Meishan, Zhejiang Province, China |
31° 4'55"N 119°42'22.9"E |
base of Bed 4a-2, 88 cm above the base of the Changxing Limestone at the Meishan D Section |
Conodont FAD Clarkina wangi |
Ratified 2005 |
Episodes 29/3, 2006 |
| Wuchiapingian |
260.4 |
Penglaitan, Guanxi Province, South China |
23°41"43"N 109°19"16"E |
base of Bed 6k in the Penglaitan Section |
Conodont FAD Clarkina postbitteri postbitteri |
Ratified 2004 |
Episodes 29/4, 2006 |
| Guadalupian |
| Capitanian |
265.8 |
Nipple Hill, SE Guadalupe Mountains, Texas, U.S.A |
31°54'32.8"N 104°47'21.1"W |
4.5m above the base of the outcrop section of the Pinery Limestone Member of the Bell Canyon Formation |
Conodont FAD Jinogondolella postserrata |
Ratified 2001 |
|
| Wordian |
268.0 |
Guadalupe Pass, Texas, U.S.A |
31°51'56.9"N 104°49'58.1"W |
7.6m above the base of the Getaway Ledge outcrop section of the Getaway Limestone member of the Cherry Canyon Formation |
Conodont FAD Jinogondolella aserrata |
Ratified 2001 |
|
| Roadian |
270.6 |
Stratotype Canyon, Texas, U.S.A |
31°52'36.1"N 104°52'36.5"W |
42.7m above the base of the Cutoff Formation |
Conodont FAD Jinogondolella nankingensis |
Ratified 2001 |
|
| Cisuralian |
| Kungurian |
275.6 |
candidates are in southern Ural Mtns. |
|
|
Near conodont FAD Neostreptognathus pnevi - N. exculptus |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Artinskian |
284.4 |
candidates are in southern Ural Mtns. |
|
|
Conodont FAD Sweetognathus whitei |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Sakmarian |
294.6 |
candidate is at Kondurovsky, Orenburg Province, Russia. |
|
|
Near conodont FAD Sweetognathus merrelli |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Asselian (base Permian) |
299.0 |
Aidaralash Creek, Kazakhstan |
50°14'45"N 57°53'29"E* |
27m above the base of Bed 19, Aidaralash Creek |
Conodont FAD of isolated-nodular morphotype of Streptognathodus "wabaunsensis" |
Ratified 1996 |
Episodes 21/1, 1998 |
| Carboniferous |
| Pennsylvanian |
| Gzhelian |
303.4 |
Candidates are in southern Urals or Nashui (south China). |
|
|
Conodont FAD Idiognathodus simulator (s.str.). Close to FAD of ammonoid Shumardites. |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Kasimovian |
307.2 |
Candidates are in southern Urals, southwest USA and Nashui (south China). |
|
|
Fusulinid FAD Protriticites, which is near ammonoid FAD Eothalossoceras. Alternative (higher) base is fusulinid FAD Montiparus montiparus, which is near conodont FAD Idiognathodus sagittalis. Age given here is the higher version; the lower one is about 1 myr older. |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Moscovian |
311.7 |
Candidates are in southern Urals or Nashui (south China). |
|
|
Either conodont FAD Idiognathoides postsulcatus or Declinognathodus donetzianus. |
Anticipated 2009 |
|
| Bashkirian |
318.1 |
Arrow Canyon, Nevada |
36°44’00” N, 114°46’40” W** |
82.9m above the top of the Battleship Formation in the lower Bird Spring Formation |
Conodont FAD Declinograptus noduliferous |
Ratified 1996 |
Episodes 22/4, 1999 |
| Mississippian |
| Serpukhovian |
328.3 |
Candidates are Verkhnyaya Kardailovka (Urals) or Nashui (China) |
|
|
Conodont FAD Lochriea ziegleri |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Visean |
345.3 |
Pengchong, south China |
24°26’N, 109°27’E |
base of bed 83 in the Pengchong Section |
Foraminifer, lineage Eoparastaffella simplex morphotype 1/morphotype 2 |
Ratified 2008 |
|
| Tournaisian (base Carboniferous) |
359.2 |
La Serre, France |
43°33'19.9"N 3°21'26.3"E* |
base of Bed 89 in Trench E’ at La Serre, (but FAD now known to be at base of Bed 85) |
Conodont FAD Siphonodella sulcata IMPRECISE (GSSP discovered in 2006 to have biostrat problems, and can not be correlated wih precision.) |
Ratified 1990 |
Episodes 14/4, 1991; Kölner Forum Geol. Paläont., 15, 2006 |
| Devonian |
| Late Devonian |
| Famennian |
374.5 |
Coumiac Quarry, near Cessenon, Montagne Noire, France |
43°27'40.6"N 3°02'25"E* |
Base of Bed 32a |
Conodont FAD Palmatolepis subperlobata and flood occurrence of Palmatolepis ultima |
Ratified 1993 |
Episodes 16/4, 1993 |
| Frasnian |
385.3 |
Col du Puech de la Suque, Montage Noire, France |
43°30'11.4"N 3°05'12.6"E* |
base of Bed 42’ at Col du Puech de la Suque section E |
Conodont FAD Ancyrodella rotundiloba |
Ratified 1986 |
Episodes 10/2, 1987 |
| Middle Devonian |
| Givetian |
391.8 |
Jebel Mech Irdane, Morocco |
31°14'14.7"N 4°21'14.8"W* |
base of Bed 123 |
Conodont FAD Polygnathus hemiansatus |
Ratified 1994 |
Episodes 18/3, 1995 |
| Eifelian |
397.5 |
Wetteldorf, Eifel Hills, Germany |
50°08'58.6"N 6°28'17.6"E* |
21.25m above the base of the exposed section, base of unit WP30 |
Conodont FAD Polygnathus costatus partitus |
Ratified 1985 |
Episodes 8/2, 1985 |
| Early Devonian |
| Emsian |
407.0 |
Zinzil'ban Gorge, Uzbekistan |
39°12'N 67°18'20"E |
base of Bed 9/5 in the Zinzil’ban Gorge in the Kitab State Geological Reserve |
Conodont FAD Polygnathus kitabicus |
Ratified 1995 |
Episodes 20/4, 1997 |
| Pragian |
411.2 |
Velká Chuchle, Prague, Czech Republic |
50°00'53"N 14°22'21.5"E* |
base of Bed 12 in Velká Chuchle Quarry |
Conodont FAD Eognathodus sulcatus sulcatus or, better, of Latericriodus steinachensis Morph beta |
Ratified 1989 |
Episodes 12/2, 1989 |
| Lochkovian (base Devonian) |
416.0 |
Klonk, near Prague, Czech Republic |
48.855°N 13.792°E** |
within Bed 20 |
Graptolite FAD Monograptus uniformis |
Ratified 1972 |
IUGS Series A, 5, 1977 |
| Silurian |
| Pridoli (Epoch) |
418.7 |
Pozáry Section, Reporyje, Prague, Czech Republic |
50°01'39.82"N 14°19'29.56"E* |
within Bed 96 |
Graptolite FAD Monograptus parultimus |
Ratified 1984 |
Episodes 8/2, 1985; Geol. Series, Nat. Mus. Wales 9, 1989 |
| Ludlow |
| Ludfordian |
421.3 |
near Ludlow, UK |
52°21'33"N 2°46'38"W* |
coincident with the base of the Leintwardine Formation |
Imprecise. May be near base of Saetograptus leintwardinensis graptolite zone. |
Ratified 1980 |
Lethaia 14; Episodes 5/3, 1982; Geol. Series, Nat. Mus. Wales 9, 1989 |
| Gorstian |
422.9 |
near Ludlow, UK |
52°21'33"N 2°46'38"W* |
coincident with the base of the Lower Elton Formation |
Graptolite FAD Saetograptus (Colonograptus) varians |
Ratified 1980 |
Lethaia 14; Episodes 5/3, 1982; Geol. Series, Nat. Mus. Wales 9, 1989 |
| Wenlockian |
| Homerian |
426.2 |
Sheinton Brook, Homer, UK |
52°36'56"N 2°33'53"W* |
within upper part of the Apedale Member of the Coalbrookdale Formation |
Graptolite FAD Cyrtograptus lundgreni |
Ratified 1980 |
Lethaia 14; Episodes 5/3, 1982; Geol. Series, Nat. Mus. Wales 9, 1989 |
| Sheinwoodian |
428.2 |
Hughley Brook, UK |
52°34'52"N 2°38"20"W* |
base of the Buildwas Formation |
Imprecise. Between the base of acritarch biozone 5 and LAD of conodont Pterospathodus amorphognathoides. The current GSSP does not coincide with the base of the Cyrtograptus centrifugus Biozone, as was supposed when the GSSP was defined. Restudy recommends a slightly higher and correlatable level on condonts -- the Ireviken datum 2, which coincides approximately with the base of the murchisoni graptolite biozone |
Ratified 1980 |
Lethaia 14; Episodes 5/3, 1982; Geol. Series, Nat. Mus. Wales 9, 1989 |
| Landoverian |
| Telychian |
436.0 |
Cefn-cerig Road Section, Wales, UK |
51.97°N 3.79°W** |
within the Wormwood Formation |
Just above LAD of Brachiopod Eocoelia intermedia and below FAD of Eocoelia curtisi |
Ratified 1984 |
Episodes 8/2, 1985; Geol. Series, Nat. Mus. Wales 9, 1989 |
| Aeronian |
439.0 |
Trefawr Track Section, Wales, UK |
52.03°N 3.70°W** |
within Trefawar Formation |
Graptolite FAD Monograptus austerus sequens |
Ratified 1984 |
Episodes 8/2, 1985; Geol. Series, Nat. Mus. Wales 9, 1989 |
| Rhuddanian (base Silurian) |
443.7 |
Dob's Linn, Scotland |
55.44°N 3.27°W** |
1.6m above the base of the Birkhill Shale Formation |
Graptolite FAD Akidograptus ascensus |
Ratified 1984 |
Episodes 8/2, 1985 |
| Ordovician |
| Late Ordovician |
| Hirnantian |
445.6 |
Wangjiawan North section, N of Yichang city, Western Hubei Province, China |
30°59'2.68"N 111°25'10.76"E |
0.39m below the base of the Kuanyinchiao Bed |
Graptolite FAD Normalograptus extraordinarius |
Ratified 2006 |
Episodes 29/3, 2006 |
| Katian |
455.8 |
Black Knob Ridge Section, Atoka, Oklahoma (USA) |
34°25'49.74"N 96°4'28.38"W |
4.0m above the base of the Bigfork Chert |
Graptolite FAD Diplacanthograptus caudatus |
Ratified 2006 |
Episodes 30/4, 2007 |
| Sandbian |
460.9 |
Sularp Brook, Fagelsang, Sweden |
55°42'49.3"N 13°19'31.8"E* |
1.4m below a phosphorite marker bed in the E14b outcrop |
Graptolite FAD Nemagraptus gracilis |
Ratified 2002 |
Episodes 23/2, 2000 |
| Middle Ordovician |
| Darriwilian |
468.1 |
Huangnitang section, Changshan, Zhejiang Province, SE China |
28°51'14"N 118°29'23"E* |
base of Bed AEP 184 |
Graptolite FAD Undulograptus austrodentatus |
Ratified 1987 |
Episodes 20/3, 1997 |
| Dapingian |
471.8 |
Huanghuachang section, NE of Yichang city, Hubei Province, S, China |
30°51’ 37.8’’N 110°22’ 26.5’’E |
10.57 m above base of the Dawan Formation |
Conodont FAD of Baltoniodus triangularis |
Ratified 2007 |
Proposal in Episodes 28/2, 2005 |
| Early Ordovician |
| Floian |
478.6 |
Diabasbrottet, Hunneberg, Sweden |
58°21'32.2"N 12°30'08.6"E |
in the lower Tøyen Shale, 2.1m above the top of the Cambrian |
Graptolite FAD Tetragraptus approximatus |
Ratified 2002 |
Episodes 27/4, 2004 |
| Tremadocian (base Ordovician) |
488.3 |
Green Point Section, western Newfoundland |
49°40'58.5"N 57°57'55.09"W* |
at the 101.8m level, within Bed 23, in the measured section |
Conodont FAD Iapetognathus fluctivagus |
Ratified 2000 |
Episodes 24/1, 2001 |
| Cambrian |
| Furongian |
| Stage 10 |
492 |
candidate section is Duibian (Zhejiang province, China) |
|
|
Trilobite FAD of Lotagnostus americanus. An internal substage division might be FAD of Codylodus adesei conodont |
Anticipated 2009 |
|
| Stage 9 |
496 |
candidate sections at Duibian (Zhejiang province, China) and Gonggiri (Korea) |
|
|
Trilobite FAD of Agnostotes orientalis |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Paibian |
499 |
Wuling Mountains, Huayuan County, NW Hunan Province, China |
28°23.37'N 109°31.54'E |
at 396 m in the Huaqiao Formation |
Trilobite FAD Glyptagnostus reticulatus |
Ratified 2003 |
Lethaia 37, 2004 |
| Epoch 3 |
| Guzhangian |
503 |
Louyixi, Guzhang County, NW Hunan Province, S. China |
28°43.20’ N; 109°57.88’ E |
121.3 m above the base of the Huaqiao Formation |
Trilobite FAD Lejopyge laevigata |
Ratified 2008 |
|
| Drumian |
506.5 |
Drum Mountains, Millard County, Utah, USA |
39°30.705'N 112°59.489'W |
at the base of a dark-gray thinly laminated calcisiltite layer, 62 m above the base of the Wheeler Formation |
Trilobite FAD Ptychagnostus atavus |
Ratified 2006 |
Episodes 30/2, 2007 |
| Stage 5 |
510 |
candidate sections are Wuliu-Zengjiayan (east Guizhou, China) and Split Mountain (Nevada, USA) |
|
|
Trilobite, potentially FAD of Oryctocephalus indicus |
Anticipated 2008 |
|
| Epoch 2 |
| Stage 4 |
515 |
|
|
|
Trilobite, FAD of Olenellus or Redlichia |
Anticipated 2009 |
|
| Stage 3 |
521 |
|
|
|
Trilobites -- their FAD |
Anticipated 2009 |
|
| Terreneuvian |
| Stage 2 |
528 |
|
|
|
Small Shelly Fossils, or Archaeocyathid species |
|
|
| Fortunian (base Cambrian) |
542 |
Fortune Head, SE Newfoundland, Canada |
47°4'34.47"N 55°49'51.71"W* |
2.4m above the base of Member 2 in the Chapel Island Formation |
Trace fossil FAD Trichophycus pedum |
Ratified 1992 |
Episodes 17/1&2, 1994 |
|
Period
|
Age (Ma) CGTS 2008
|
GSSP Location
|
Latitude, Longitude
|
Boundary Level
|
Correlation Events
|
Status
|
Reference
|
| Neoproterozoic Era |
| Ediacaran |
635 |
Enorama Creek, Flinders Ranges, South Australia |
31°19'53.2"S 138°38'0,2"E |
base of the Marinoan cap carbonate |
Beginning of a distinctive pattern of secular changes in carbon isotopes |
Ratified 2004 |
Lethaia 39, 2006 |
| Cryogenian |
850 |
Defined chronometrically; but will be replaced by GSSP. First glacial episode occurred after 750 Ma |
|
|
|
Ratified 1990 |
Episodes 14/2,1991 |
| Tonian |
1000 |
Defined chronometrically |
|
|
|
Ratified 1990 |
Episodes 14/2,1991 |
| Mesoproterozoic Era |
| Stenian |
1200 |
Defined chronometrically |
|
|
|
Ratified 1990 |
Episodes 14/2,1991 |
| Ectasian |
1400 |
Defined chronometrically |
|
|
|
Ratified 1990 |
Episodes 14/2,1991 |
| Calymmian |
1600 |
Defined chronometrically |
|
|
|
Ratified 1990 |
Episodes 14/2,1991 |
| Paleoproterozoic Era |
| Statherian |
1800 |
Defined chronometrically |
|
|
|
Ratified 1990 |
Episodes 14/2,1991 |
|
| Orosirian |
2050 |
Defined chronometrically |
|
|
|
Ratified 1990 |
Episodes 14/2,1991 |
|
| Rhyacian |
2300 |
Defined chronometrically |
|
|
|
Ratified 1990 |
Episodes 14/2,1991 |
|
| Siderian |
2500 |
Defined chronometrically, but it will be replaced by GSSP |
|
|
|
Ratified 1990. GSSP replacement planned for 2009 |
Episodes 14/2,1991 |
|
Era
|
Age (Ma) CGTS 2008
|
GSSP Location
|
Latitude, Longitude
|
Boundary Level
|
Correlation Events
|
Status
|
Reference
|
| Archean Eon |
| Neoarchean |
2800 |
Defined chronometrically |
|
|
|
Subcomm. decision 1996, but not submitted to ICS |
Informally in Episodes 15/2, 1992 |
| Mesoarchean |
3200 |
Defined chronometrically |
|
|
|
Subcomm. decision 1996, but not submitted to ICS |
Informally in Episodes 15/2, 1992 |
| Paleoarchean |
3600 |
Defined chronometrically |
|
|
|
Subcomm. decision 1996, but not submitted to ICS |
Informally in Episodes 15/2, 1992 |
| Eoarchean |
~4000 |
Base is not defined |
|
|
|
Subcomm. decision 1996, but not submitted to ICS |
Informally in Episodes 15/2, 1992 |
| Hadean |
