The formal recognition of Quaternary as a Period/System was approved by IUGS in June 2009,in accordance with a proposal originated by INQUA.There are reasons to believe that this will have destabilizing consequences f...The formal recognition of Quaternary as a Period/System was approved by IUGS in June 2009,in accordance with a proposal originated by INQUA.There are reasons to believe that this will have destabilizing consequences for the geological time scale.Until now,the primary divisions of the stratigraphic record,at the Period level and above,have been based on the progressive change of Earth’s biota.The Quaternary,on the other hand,is a paleoclimatic concept based on glacial-interglacial variability,expressed in lithological change.The IUGS vote holds that this paradigm now supersedes the biochronological identity of the Neogene Period/System.展开更多
文摘The formal recognition of Quaternary as a Period/System was approved by IUGS in June 2009,in accordance with a proposal originated by INQUA.There are reasons to believe that this will have destabilizing consequences for the geological time scale.Until now,the primary divisions of the stratigraphic record,at the Period level and above,have been based on the progressive change of Earth’s biota.The Quaternary,on the other hand,is a paleoclimatic concept based on glacial-interglacial variability,expressed in lithological change.The IUGS vote holds that this paradigm now supersedes the biochronological identity of the Neogene Period/System.
