Global Stratotype Section and Point

Map with all coordinates: OSM | WikiMap

Type locality of the Anisium - Ladinium border, a limestone outcrop near Bagolino in the Italian Alps, a close-up of the "Golden Spike" at the bottom right.

The base of the Ediacarium with the “Golden Spike” (below) in its type locality, a dolomite outcrop on Enorama Creek, Flinderskette , South Australia

Global Stratotype Section and Point (also Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point , literally "Profile and point of the global border stratotype", GSSP for short ) is the name for a geological outcrop with marine sedimentary rocks that serves as a reference ( type locality ) for the boundary of a chronostratigraphic unit is used. The geological profile of the outcrop is geologically examined and described in detail. The position of the corresponding boundary in the profile is usually defined by the first appearance of a certain fossil and marked in the outcrop.

There are now more than a hundred GSSPs (see section below: List of all GSSPs ). With the exception of the Ediacarium , only units of the Phanerozoic have a GSSP so far .

The global GSSPs are set by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS), a sub-organization of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The GSSP procedure to be used is also precisely defined. It was 1976 in the first edition of the International Stratigraphic Guide documented for the first time in 1977 in defining the boundary between the systems Silurian and Devonian in La Serre in Aveyron ( southern France used).

Procedure

methodology

The Salzgitter-Salder limestone quarry , a candidate for the Coniac's GSSP, which has not yet been awarded .

The GSSP method defines a chronostratigraphic unit by the type ( stratotype ) and its "base" ( point ). The type consists of a reference profile (English reference section , correspondingly also type profile, English stratotype section , called) of sedimentary rocks, in the sequence of layers of which a certain position is determined as the lower limit (precisely the "base") of the unit. This position is referred to as the golden spike based on the image of a large, marking nail . Most lower limits coincide with the first or last date of occurrence of a particular Fossil - species together ( "biostratigraphical" demarcation) and / or by a palaeomagnetic in anomaly ( "magnetostratigraphic" demarcation) and / or have a stratigraphic marker on, the air anomaly or indicates a climatic change ("climatic" demarcation), with isotope anomalies serving as markers. Ideally, at least one of these features occurs worldwide in every old layer sequence. The chronostratigraphic unit defined in this way includes all rocks that were formed between this limit and the limit of the following unit of equal rank. A GSSP is determined by international bodies such as the International Commission of Stratigraphy after an intensive selection process and is accepted by virtually all geoscientists in the sense of a clear description of the content of the chronostratigraphic units.

advantages

Compared to other methods (e.g. exclusively by means of biostratigraphy or through a geochronological absolute age), this type of definition of a chronostratigraphic unit has some advantages: It is objective in the way that it refers to one or more unchangeable and objective properties of the reference profile . Only the transfer of these properties to occurrences outside of the reference profile remains subjective. With the advancement of knowledge in independent auxiliary disciplines such as B. the event stratigraphy , a further specification of the identification of this limit in other outcrops is possible. Future methods not known today can also be used for this purpose.

The GSSP procedure directly defines neither an absolute age nor an absolute time interval. A direct absolute time definition of a chronostratigraphic unit is also not useful because the methods of relative dating currently have a much higher resolution than the radiometric methods of age determination, not least because only certain layers or rock bodies can be dated radiometrically at all. In the course of the application of improved absolute dating methods, it is therefore necessary from time to time to correct the absolute age value of the limit of a certain chronostratigraphic unit (usually by a few hundred thousand to a few million years, with a falling trend).

conditions

Although such a GSSP can in principle be defined at any position in any profile, a good GSSP with a majority in the selection process meets certain requirements. He

is as free of sedimentation gaps as possible in the area around the “golden spike”
is in a stratigraphic position that coincides as closely as possible with an easily recognizable and globally traceable marker
offers a wealth of additional information that can be used for correlation (ideally multiple biostratigraphic as well as magneto- and isotope-stratigraphic markers)
is available and accessible for scientific research
is subject to a certain protection and is thus secured in the long term
if possible depicts a historically established border position

Revision

Once a GSSP has been selected and ratified, it is in principle unchangeable, both geographically and stratigraphically. A new location can only be selected if the original GSSP has been destroyed or is permanently inaccessible. The “golden spike” can be implemented in the reference profile in exceptional cases “if research results obtained after the establishment of a GSSP make this necessary,” but only after a blocking period of at least 10 years. In fact, there is currently a need for revision with some GSSPs, as subsequent examinations of the profile showed that the original demarcation was not optimal ( indicated in the tables below by red font in the column “definition features”).

List of all GSSPs

Cenozoic

quaternary

series	step	Age	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Holocene		11784 ± 69 a ^†	Ice core-2 of the North Greenland Ice Core Project (NGRIP), Greenland (see → GSSP Pleistocene / Holocene )	75 ° 6 ′ 0 ″ N , 42 ° 19 ′ 0 ″ W.75.1 -42.316666666667	Climatic: End of the Younger Dryas ( Stadial ). Base point: 1492.45 m mark on the core NGRIP2
Pleistocene	" Tarantium "	126 ka	Bore Schiphol Airport , Amsterdam , Netherlands . Pending ratification	52 ° 22 ′ 45 " N , 4 ° 54 ′ 52" E52.379166666667 4.9144444444444	Climatic: beginning of the Eem interglacial . Bio- / event stratigraphic: strong increase of birch trees in the pollen transmission Base point: 63.5 m mark on the core of the Schiphol Airport borehole ("Amsterdam Terminal")
	" Ionium "	781 ka	no candidates in the shortlist yet	-	Magnetostratigraphically: Brunhes - Matuyama -Magnetic reversal.
	Calabrium	1.806 Ma	Vrica , Calabria , Italy (see → GSSP Gelasium / Calabrium )	39 ° 2 ′ 19 ″ N , 17 ° 8 ′ 5 ″ E39.038611111111 17.134722222222	Magnetostratigraphically: 3–6 m above the magnetic polarity chronozone C2n (Olduvai). Base point: base of marine mudstone above the sapropel layer “e”.
	Gelasium	2.588 Ma	Monte San Nicola , Sicily , Italy (see → GSSP Pliocene / Pleistocene )	37 ° 8 ′ 49 ″ N , 14 ° 12 ′ 13 ″ E37.146944444444 14.203611111111	Magnetostratigraphically: 1 m above the base of the magnetic polarity chronozone C2r (Matuyama). Climatic: Within the marine oxygen isotope level 103. Base point: base of a marl layer stored on Sapropel MPRS 250.

^† based on the year 2008 AD

Neogene

series	step	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Pliocene	Piacenzium	3,600	Punta Piccola, near Porto Empedocle , Sicily , Italy (see → GSSP Zancleum / Piacenzium )	37 ° 17 ′ 20 " N , 13 ° 29 ′ 36" E37.288888888889 13.493333333333	Magnetostratigraphically: Basis of the magnetic polarity chronozone C2An ( Gauss ). Base: base of a beige marl layer of the MPRS 347.
Pliocene	Zancleum	5.333	Eraclea Minoa, near Cattolica Eraclea , Sicily , Italy	37 ° 23 ′ 30 ″ N , 13 ° 16 ′ 50 ″ E37.391666666667 13.280555555556	Magnetostratigraphically: 5 precession cycles (corresponding to 96 ka) below the base of the Thvera event (C3n.4n). Base point: Base of the Trubi formation, corresponds to insulation cycle 510.
Miocene	Messinium	7.246	Oued Akrech , Rabat , Morocco	33 ° 56 ′ 13 ″ N , 6 ° 48 ′ 45 ″ W.33.936944444444 -6.8125	Biostratigraphically: First regular appearance of Globorotalia miotumida ( planktonic foraminifera ). Biostratigraphically: first appearance of Amaurolithus delicatus ( calcareous nannofossil ). Magnetostratigraphically: In the magnetic polarity chronozone C3Br.1r. Base point: base of a reddish layer of sedimentation cycle No. 15.
	Tortonium	11.63	Beach of Monte dei Corvi, near Ancona , Italy	43 ° 35 ′ 12 ″ N , 13 ° 34 ′ 10 ″ E43.586666666667 13.569444444444	Biostratigraphically: Last regular occurrence of Discoaster kugleri ( calcareous nannofossil ). Magnetostratigraphically: In the normally polarized Chronozone C5r.2n Base point: center of the sapropel layer 76.
	Serravallium	13.82	Profile of Ras il Pellegrin , Bay of Fomm Ir-Rih , west coast of Malta	35 ° 54 '50 " N , 14 ° 20' 10" E35.913888888889 14.336111111111	Climatic: oxygen isotope level Mi3b (global cooling episode). Biostratigraphically: Near the last appearance of Sphenolithus heteromorphus ( calcareous nannofossil ). Base: formation boundary between the Globigerina limestone and the blue clay formation.
	Langhium	15.97	Potential candidates are a drill core from the ODP and the Moria La Vedova location in Italy	-	Biostratigraphically: Near the first appearance of Praeorbulina glomerosa ( planktonic foraminifera ). Magnetostratigraphic: tip of the magnetic polarity chronozone C5Cn.1n.
	Burdigalium	20.44	a potential candidate is a core from the ODP	-	Biostratigraphically: Near the first appearance of Globigerinoides altiaperturus ( planktonic foraminifera ). Magnetostratigraphic: Near the tip of the Magnetic Polarity Chronozone C6An.
	Aquitanium	23.03	Lemme-Carrosio , Alessandria Province , Italy	44 ° 39 ′ 32 " N , 8 ° 50 ′ 11" E44.658888888889 8.8363888888889	Magnetostratigraphically: Basis of the magnetic polarity chronozone C6Cn.2n. Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Paragloborotalia kugleri ( planktonic foraminifera ). Base point: 35 m below the upper edge of the profile.

Paleogene

series	step	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Oligocene	Chattium	28.1	South-east slope of Monte Cagnero near Urbania , Umbria - Marche , Italy	43 ° 38 ′ 48 " N , 12 ° 28 ′ 4" E43.646666666667 12.467777777778	Biostratigraphically: last relatively frequent occurrence ( highest common occurrence , HCO) of the planktonic foraminifere Chiloguembelina cubensis Biostratigraphically: last occurrence ( highest occurence , HO) of the coccolith Sphenolithus predistentus (on Monte Cagnero 1 m below the HCO of C. cubensis ) Biostratigraphic: HCO of the coccolith Sphenolithus distentus (on Monte Cagnero 4 m above the HCO of C. cubensis ) Air table: frequency interval of the cold water indicating dinoflagellate cyst Svalbardella cook soniae (Monte Cagnero between the profile meters 201 to 208, which is within the polarity Chrono zone C9N) Base point: Profile meter 197, 30 cm below a 40 cm thick limestone bank, which scented out in the middle of a 7 m thick, marly interval
Oligocene	Rupelium	33.9	Massignano , near Ancona , Italy	43 ° 31 ′ 58 " N , 13 ° 36 ′ 4" E43.532777777778 13.601111111111	Biostratigraphically: extinction of Hantkenina and Cribrohantkenina ( foraminifera ). Base point: Base of a 0.5 m thick greenish-gray marl layer 19 m above the base of the profile.
Eocene	Priobonium	37.8	Alano profile on the Piave , Belluno , Italy , not yet decided	-	Biostratigraphically: Near the first appearance of Chiasmolithus oamaruensis ( calcareous nannofossil ).
	Bartonium	41.2	Motorway section at Contessa near Gubbio , Apennines , Italy , not yet decided	-	Biostratigraphically: Near extinction of Reticulofenestra reticulata ( calcareous nannofossil ).
	lutetium	47.8	Gorrondatxe cliff, Spanish Basque Country	43 ° 22 ′ 46 " N , 3 ° 0 ′ 52" W.43.379444444444 -3.0144444444444	Biostratigraphically: Last appearance of Blackites inflatus ( calcareous nannofossil ). Magnetostratigraphic: center of the magnetic polarity chronozone C21r. Base point: dark marl layer at profile meter 167.85
	Ypresium	56.0	Dababiya , Luxor , Egypt	25 ° 30 ′ 0 ″ N , 32 ° 31 ′ 52 ″ E25.5 32.531111111111	Climatic: Basis of the negative carbon isotope deviation (CIE) → Paleocene / Eocene temperature maximum Base point: Basis of layer 1 in the DBH sub-profile.
Paleocene	Thanetium	59.2	Zumaia profile, Spanish Basque Country	43 ° 18 ′ 2 " N , 2 ° 15 ′ 34" W.43.300555555556 -2.2594444444444	Magnetostratigraphically: basis of the magnetic polarity chronozone C26n. Base point: 30.5 m above the base of the Itzurun formation.
	Seelandium	61.6	Zumaia profile, Spanish Basque Country	43 ° 18 ′ 2 " N , 2 ° 15 ′ 34" W.43.300555555556 -2.2594444444444	Climatic: beginning of a shift in carbon isotopes and sea level drop. Base: Base of the red marls of the Itzurun formation.
	Danium	66.0	Oued Djerfane , west of El Kef , Tunisia	36 ° 9 '13 " N , 8 ° 38' 55" E36.153611111111 8.6486111111111	high iridium concentration associated with mass extinction . Base point: Reddish layer at the base of a 50 cm thick, dark border tone.

Mesozoic

chalk

series	step	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Upper	Maastrichtium	72.1 ± 0.2	Tercis-les-Bains , Landes , France	43 ° 40 ′ 46 " N , 1 ° 6 ′ 48" W.43.679444444444 -1.1133333333333	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Pachydiscus neubergicus ( ammonite ). Base point: "Level" 115.2 on "Platform" IV in the Tercis-les-Bains quarry ^§
	Campanium	83.6 ± 0.2	potential candidates are locations in England and Texas	-	Biostratigraphically: Extinction of Marsupites testudinarius ( Crinoids ).
	Santonium	86.3 ± 0.5	Olazagutia, Navarre , Spain	42 ° 52 ′ 0 ″ N , 2 ° 11 ′ 48 ″ W.42.8668 -2.1968	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Platyceramus undulatoplicatus ( inoceramide mussel ). Base point: Profile meter 94.4 in the Cantera de Margas quarry
	Coniacium	89.8 ± 0.3	The most promising candidates are Słupia Nadbrzeżna in Poland and Salzgitter-Salder in Germany	-	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Cremnoceramus rotundatus ( sensu Tröger non Fiege ; inoceramide mussel ).
	Turonium	93.9	Rock Canyon at Pueblo , Colorado , USA	38 ° 16 ′ 56 " N , 104 ° 43 ′ 39" W.38.282222222222 -104.7275	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Watinoceras devonense ( ammonite ). Base: Base of Layer 86 of the Bridge Creek Limestone Subformation
	Cenomanium	100.5	Mont Risou , Hautes-Alpes , France	44 ° 23 ′ 33 " N , 5 ° 30 ′ 43" E44.3925 5.5119444444444	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Rotalipora globotruncanoides ( planktonic foraminifera ) Base point: 36 m below the upper end of the Marnes-Bleues formation
Lower	Albium	≈ 113.0	potential candidates are locations in south-east France	-	Potential markers are the first appearance of Praediscosphaera columnata ( calcareous nannofossil ), a carbon isotope anomaly (" black shale episode") and an ammonite
	Aptium	≈ 125.0	Gorgo a Cerbara near Piobbico , Marche , Italy . Decision pending	-	Magnetostratigraphically: basis of the magnetic polarity chronozone M0r. Biostratigraphically: Near the base of the Paradeshayesites oglanlensis - ammonite zone.
	Barremium	≈ 129.4	Río Argos near Caravaca de la Cruz , Murcia (region) , Spain . Decision pending	-	Biostratigraphic: First appearance of the Spitidiscus hugii / Spitidiscus vandeckii group ( ammonites ).
	Skin rivium	≈ 132.9	La Charce, Drôme , France . Decision pending	-	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of the genus Acanthodiscus ( ammonite ), especially the species A. radiatus .
	Valanginium	≈ 139.8	The most promising candidates are a locality near Montbrun-les-Bains ( Drôme , France ) and Cañada Luenga in the Betic Cordillera (Spain)	-	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Calpionellites darderi ( Calpionellide ). Biostratigraphically: First appearance of "Thurmanniceras" pertransiens ( ammonite ).
	Berriasium	≈ 145.0	no candidates in the shortlist yet	-	Potential markers are the base of the magnetic polarity chronozone M18r, the base of the calpionellid zone B and the first appearance of Berriasella jacobi ( ammonite ).

^§“Level” and “platform” are temporary expressions for a better spatial and stratigraphic orientation in the monotonous, unstratified sequence of the reference profile. "Levels" are artificially optically marked and consecutively numbered sections and the "platforms" are the excavated floors in the quarry arranged in steps.

law

series	step	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Upper	Tithonium	152.1 ± 0.9	potential candidates are Mont Crussol or Canjuers (south-east France ) or Fornazzo ( Sicily )	-	Biostratigraphically: Near the first appearance of Hybonoticeras hybonotum ( ammonite ). Biostratigraphically: First appearance of the genus Gravesia ( ammonite ). Magnetostratigraphically: basis of the magnetic polarity chronozone M22An.
	Kimmeridgium	157.3 ± 1.0	Flodigarry at Staffin Bay, Isle of Skye , Scotland , decision pending	-	Biostratigraphically: Base of the Pictonia baylei - ammonite zone.
	Oxfordium	163.5 ± 1.0	potential candidates are Redcliff Point ( Dorset , England ) and Savouron ( Provence , France )	-	Biostratigraphically: Cardioceras redcliffense horizon at the base of the Cardioceras scarburgense subzone of the Quenstedtoceras mariae - ammonite zone.
Middle	Callovium	166.1 ± 1.2	potential candidates are Pfeffingen on the Swabian Alb and Russian locations	-	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of the genus Kepplerites ( ammonite ).
	Bathonium	168.3 ± 1.3	Bas-Auran area , Alpes-de-Haute-Provence , France	43 ° 57 ′ 38 " N , 6 ° 18 ′ 55" E43.960555555556 6.3152777777778	Biostratigraphically: first appearance of Gonolkites convergens ( ammonite ). Base: base of the RB071 limestone bench of the Ravin-du-Bès profile
	Bajocium	170.3 ± 1.4	Cabo Mondego , Portugal	40 ° 11 ′ 57 ″ N , 8 ° 54 ′ 15 ″ W.40.199166666667 -8.9041666666667	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of the genus Hyperlioceras ( ammonite ). Base point: base of layer AB 11 of the Murtinheira profile.
	Aalenium	174.1 ± 1.0	Fuentelsaz , Spain	41 ° 10 ′ 15 ″ N , 1 ° 50 ′ 0 ″ W.41.170833333333 -1.8333333333333	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of the genus Leioceras ( ammonite ). Base point: base of layer FZ 107.
Lower	Toarcium	182.7 ± 0.7	Peniche Profile, Leiria , Portugal	39 ° 22 ′ 15 ″ N , 9 ° 23 ′ 7 ″ W.39.3708 -9.3853	Biostratigraphically: first appearance of Dactylioceras (Eodactylites) simplex and / or occurrence of D. (E.) pseudocommune and / or D. (E.) polymorphum as representatives of the lower part of the polymorphum - Ammoniten zone. Base point: Base of layer 15e at Ponta do Trovão ("Couches de passage" of the highest Lemede formation)
	Pliensbachium	190.8 ± 1.0	Wine Haven , Robin Hood's Bay , Yorkshire , United Kingdom	54 ° 24 ′ 25 ″ N , 0 ° 29 ′ 51 ″ W.54.406944444444 -0.4975	Biostratigraphically: Bifericeras donovani appear together with the genus Apoderoceras ( ammonites ). Base point: base of layer 73b
	Sinemurium	199.3 ± 0.3	East Quantoxhead , West Somerset , United Kingdom	51 ° 11 ′ 27 " N , 3 ° 14 ′ 11" W.51.190833333333 -3.2363888888889	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of the genera Vermiceras and Metophioceras ( ammonites ). Base point: 0.90 m above the base of layer 145
	Hettangium	201.3 ± 0.2	Kuhjoch , Tyrol , Austria	47 ° 29 ′ 2 ″ N , 11 ° 31 ′ 50 ″ E47.483888888889 11.530555555556	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Psiloceras spelae (first documented species of the Psiloceras - ammonite group). Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Praegubkinella turgescens ( Foraminifera ) Base point: 5.80 m above the upper end of the Kössen formation

Triad

series	step	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Upper	Rhaetium	≈ 208.5	potential candidates are locations in Austria , British Columbia ( Canada ) and Turkey	-	Biostratigraphically: Near the first appearance of the genus Cochloceras ( ammonite ). Biostratigraphically: Near the first appearance of Misikella spp. and Epigondolella mosheri ( Conodonts ). Biostratigraphically: Near the first appearance of Proparvicingula moniliformis ( radiolaria ).
	Norium	≈ 227	potential candidates are Black Bear Ridge ( British Columbia , Canada ) and Pizzo Mondello ( Sicily , Italy )	-	Biostratigraphically: Base of the Stikinoceras kerri - ammonite zone Biostratigraphically: Near the appearance of Metapolygnathus echinatus in the M. communisti - conodont zone
	Carnium	≈ 237	Prati di Stuores , Dolomites , Italy .	46 ° 31 '37 " N , 11 ° 55' 49" E46.526944444444 11.930277777778	Biostratigraphically: first appearance of Daxatina canadensis ( ammonite ). Biostratigraphic: Immediately below the first appearance of Paragondolella polygnathiformis ( Conodont ). Magnetostratigraphically: basis of the magnetic polarity chronozone S2n. Base: base of the marly limestone layer SW4, 45 m above the base of the San Cassiano formation.
Medium	Ladinium	≈ 242	Bagolino , Province of Brescia , Italy	45 ° 49 ′ 10 ″ N , 10 ° 28 ′ 15 ″ E45.819305555556 10.470972222222	Biostratigraphically: first appearance of Eoprotrachyceras curionii (base of E. curionii - ammonite zone). Base: Base of a 15–20 cm thick limestone layer, which follows a clearly pronounced layer joint (the so-called Chiesense groove , formed by a layer of limestone nodules in a clay matrix ).
Medium	Anisium	247.2	The most promising candidate is Deşli Caira in the Romanian part of the Dobruja .	-	potential markers are the first appearance of Chiosella timorensis ( Conodont ) and the basis of the magnetic polarity chronozone MT1n.
Lower	Olenekium	251.2	Muth , Himachal Pradesh , India . Not yet ratified	31 ° 57 '55 " N , 78 ° 1' 29" E31.9654 78.0246	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Neospathodus waageni ( Conodont ). Biostratigraphically: Immediately above the Rohillites rohilla - ammonite zone. Biostratigraphic: Immediately below the earliest occurrence of the genera Flemingites and Euflemingites ( ammonites ). Other: Within a positive C-13 anomaly, just above a widely detectable sequence boundary Base point: Base of layer 13A-2 in profile M04 (at ≈ 4000 m height), about 4.8 m above the base of the Mikin formation.
Lower	Indusium	252.17 ± 0.06	Meishan , Changxing , Zhejiang , China	31 ° 4 ′ 47 " N , 119 ° 42 ′ 21" E31.079722222222 119.70583333333	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Hindeodus parvus ( Conodont ). Base point: base of layer 27c in profile Meishan D.

Paleozoic

Perm

series	step	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Lopingium	Changhsingium	254.14 ± 0.07	Meishan , Changxing , Zhejiang , China	31 ° 4 ′ 55 " N , 119 ° 42 ′ 23" E31.081944444444 119.70638888889	Biostratigraphic: Near the first appearance of Clarkina wangi ( Conodont ). Base point: base of layer 4a-2, 88 cm above the base of the Changxing limestone within the Meishan D.
Lopingium	Wuchiapingium	259.8 ± 0.4	Penglaitan , Guangxi , China	23 ° 41 ′ 43 " N , 109 ° 19 ′ 16" E23.695277777778 109.32111111111	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Clarkina postbitteri postbitteri ( Conodont ). Base point: base of layer 6k in the Penglaitan profile.
Guadalupium	Capitanium	265.1 ± 0.4	Nipple Hill , Guadalupe Mountains , Texas , USA	31 ° 54 ′ 33 ″ N , 104 ° 47 ′ 21 ″ W.31.909166666667 -104.78916666667	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Jinogondolella postserrata ( Conodont ). Base point: 4.5 m above the base of the exposed profile of the pinery limestone subformation of the Bell Canyon Formation.
	Wordium	268.8 ± 0.5	Guadalupe Pass , Guadalupe Mountains , Texas , USA	31 ° 51 ′ 57 " N , 104 ° 49 ′ 58" W.31.865833333333 -104.83277777778	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Jinogondolella aserrata ( Conodont ). Base point: 7.6 m above the base of the exposed Getaway Ledge profile of the Getaway limestone subformation of the Cherry Canyon Formation
	Roadium	272.3 ± 0.5	Stratotype Canyon , Guadalupe Mountains , Texas , USA	31 ° 52 ′ 36 " N , 104 ° 52 ′ 37" W.31.876666666667 -104.87680555556	Biostratigraphically: first appearance of Jinogondolella nanginkensis ( Conodont ). Base point: 42.7 m above the base of the cutoff formation.
Cisuralium	Kungurium	283.5 ± 0.6	potential candidates are locations in the southern Urals	-	Biostratigraphic: Near the first appearance of Neostreptognathus pnevi and N. exculptus ( Conodont ).
	Artinskium	290.1 ± 0.26	potential candidates are locations in the southern Urals	-	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Sweetognathus whitei ( Conodont ).
	Sacmarium	295.0 ± 0.18	A promising candidate is a locality near Kondurowski ( Orenburg , Russia )	-	Biostratigraphically: Near the first appearance of Sweetognathus merrelli ( Conodont ).
	Asselium	298.9 ± 0.15	Aidaralash Valley, Southern Urals , Kazakhstan	50 ° 14 ′ 45 " N , 57 ° 53 ′ 29" E50.245833333333 57.891388888889	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of the morphotype Streptognathodus isolatus within the chronocline Streptognathodus "wabaunsensis" ( Conodont ). 27 m above the base of layer 19.

Carbon

series	step	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Pennsylvania	Gzhelium	303.7 ± 0.1	potential candidates are Usolka in the southern Urals ( Russia ) and localities in Guizhou Province (China)	-	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Idiognathodus simulator (s. Str.) ( Conodont ).
	Kasimovium	307.0 ± 0.1	potential candidates are Naqing ( Guizhou , China ) and locations in the Moscow Basin ( Russia )	-	a potential marker is the first appearance of a species of the genus Idiognathus ( Conodont ) to be determined
	Moskovium	315.2 ± 0.2	potential candidates are Naqing ( Guizhou , China ) and localities in the southern Urals ( Russia )	-	potential marker is the first appearance of a yet to be determined conodonts - Art
	Bashkirium	323.2 ± 0.4	Arrow Canyon , Nevada , USA	36 ° 44 ′ 0 ″ N , 114 ° 46 ′ 40 ″ W.36.733333333333 -114.77777777778	Biostratigraphically: first appearance of Declinognathodus nodiliferus ( Conodont ). Base point: 82.9 m above the upper end of the battleship formation within the lower bird spring formation.
Mississippium	Serpukhovium	330.9 ± 0.2	The most promising candidates are the deep water carbonate sequences of Naqing ( Guizhou , China ) and Verkhnyaya Kardailovka in the southern Urals ( Russia ), decision not expected before 2018	-	Biostratigraphically: First occurrence of the conodont Lochriea ziegleri
	Visa	346.7 ± 0.4	Pengchong , Liuzhou , Guangxi , China	24 ° 26 ′ 0 ″ N , 109 ° 27 ′ 0 ″ E24.433333333333 109.45	Biostratigraphically: first appearance of the benthic foraminifer Eoparastaffella simplex . Base point: Base of layer 83 in the Pengchong profile.
	Tournaisium	358.9 ± 0.4	La Serre south of Cabrières , Montagne Noire , Hérault , France	43 ° 33 ′ 20 " N , 3 ° 21 ′ 26" E43.555555555556 3.3572222222222	Biostratigraphic (imprecise): First appearance of Siphonodella sulcata ( Conodont ), which was subsequently found clearly below the base point Base point: base of layer 89 in trench E ′.

Devon

series	step	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Upper	Family	372.2 ± 1.6	Coumiac Quarry , Montagne Noire , France	43 ° 27 ′ 41 ″ N , 3 ° 2 ′ 25 ″ E43.461388888889 3.0402777777778	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Palmatolepis triangularis ( Conodont ). Biostratigraphically: Upper Kellwasser event : extinction of conodonts genres Ancyrodella and Ozarkodina and goniatites families Gephuroceratidae and Beloceratidae . Base point: base of layer 32a.
Upper	Frasnium	382.7 ± 1.6	Col du Puech de la Suque , Montagne Noire , France	43 ° 30 ′ 11 " N , 3 ° 5 ′ 13" E43.503194444444 3.0868055555556	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Ancyrodella rotundiloba ( Conodont ). Base point: base of layer 42 'in profile E.
Middle	Givetium	387.7 ± 0.8	Jebel Mech Irdane , Tafilalt , Morocco	31 ° 14 ′ 15 " N , 4 ° 21 ′ 15" W.31.2375 -4.3541666666667	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Polygnathus hemiansatus ( Conodont ). Base point: base of layer 123.
Middle	Eifelium	393.3 ± 1.2	Wetteldorfer directional cut , Eifel , Germany	50 ° 8 ′ 59 " N , 6 ° 28 ′ 18" E50.149722222222 6.4716666666667	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Polygnathus costatus partitus ( Conodont ). Base point: 21.25 m above the base of the exposed profile and directly below the Horologium II bentonite layer.
Lower	Emsium	407.6 ± 2.6	Zinzil'ban Gorge , Uzbekistan	39 ° 12 ′ 0 ″ N , 67 ° 18 ′ 20 ″ E39.2 67.305555555556	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Polygnathus kitabicus ( Conodont ). Base point: Basis of layer 9/5.
	Pragium	410.8 ± 2.8	Quarry Valka Chuchle , Prague , Czech Republic	50 ° 0 ′ 53 ″ N , 14 ° 22 ′ 21 ″ E50.014722222222 14.3725	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Eognathodus sulcatus sulcatus ( Conodont ). Base point: base of layer 12.
	Lochkovium	419.2 ± 3.2	Klonk quarry , near Suchomasty , Okres Beroun , Czech Republic	49 ° 54 '3 " N , 14 ° 3' 43" E49.90075 14.061944444444	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Monograptus uniformis ( graptolite ). Base point: within layer 20

Silurian

series	step	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Pridolium		423.0 ± 2.3	Pozáry profile, Prague , Czech Republic	50 ° 1 ′ 40 " N , 14 ° 19 ′ 30" E50.0277 14.3249	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Monograptus parultimus ( graptolite ). Base point: within layer 96.
Ludlow	Ludfordium	425.6 ± 0.9	Sunnyhill , Ludlow , United Kingdom	52 ° 21 ′ 33 " N , 2 ° 46 ′ 38" W.52.3592 -2.7772	Biostratigraphic (imprecise): near the base of the Saetograptus leintwardinensis - graptolite zone. Foot point: at the base of the Leintwardine formation.
Ludlow	Gorstium	427.4 ± 0.5	Pitch Coppice , Ludlow , United Kingdom	52 ° 21 ′ 33 " N , 2 ° 46 ′ 38" W.52.3592 -2.7772	Biostratigraphic: First appearance of Saetograptus (Colonograptus) varians ( Graptolite ). Base: at the base of the Lower Elton Formation.
Wenlock	Homerium	430.5 ± 0.7	Sheinton Brook , Homer , United Kingdom	52 ° 36 '56 " N , 2 ° 33' 53" W.52.6156 -2.5647	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Cyrtograptus lundgreni ( graptolite ). Base: within the upper part of the Apedale subformation of the Coalbrookdale Formation
Wenlock	Sheinwoodium	433.4 ± 0.8	Hughley Brook , Apedale , United Kingdom	52 ° 34 ′ 52 " N , 2 ° 38 ′ 20" W.52.5811 -2.6389	Biostratigraphically: originally the base of the Cyrtograptus centrifugus - graptolite zone, which does not (anymore) correspond to the GSSP; The redefinition should be based on conodonts . Base: Base of the Buildwas formation.
Llandovery	Telychium	438.5 ± 1.1	Cefn-cerig-Road Profile, Llandovery , United Kingdom	51 ° 58 ′ 12 ″ N , 3 ° 47 ′ 24 ″ W.51.97 -3.79	Biostratigraphic: Just above the last appearance of Eocoelia intermedia and below the first appearance of Eocoelia curtisi ( brachiopods ). Base point: within the Wormwood formation.
	Aeronium	440.8 ± 1.2	Trefawr Track Profile, Llandovery , United Kingdom	52 ° 1 ′ 48 ″ N , 3 ° 42 ′ 0 ″ W.52.03 -3.7	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Monograptus austerus sequens ( graptolite ). Base point: within the Trefawar formation.
	Rhuddanium	443.8 ± 1.5	Dob's Linn , Moffat , United Kingdom	55 ° 26 ′ 24 ″ N , 3 ° 16 ′ 12 ″ W.55.44 -3.27	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Akidograptus ascensus ( graptolite ). Base point: 1.6 m above the base of the Birkhill Shale Formation .

Ordovician

series	step	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Upper	Brain antium	445.2 ± 1.4	Wangjiawan , Yichang , Hubei , China	30 ° 58 '56 " N , 111 ° 25' 10" E30.982222222222 111.41944444444	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Normalograptus extraordinarius ( graptolite ). Foot point: 0.39 m below the base of Kuanyinchiao Bank.
	Katium	453.0 ± 0.7	Black Knob Ridge , Atoka , Oklahoma , USA	34 ° 25 ′ 50 " N , 96 ° 4 ′ 28" W.34.430555555556 -96.074444444444	Biostratigraphic: First appearance of Diplacanthograptus caudatus ( graptolite ). Base: 4 m above the base of the Bigfork-Chert.
	Sandbium	458.4 ± 0.9	Sularp Brook , Skåne County , Sweden	55 ° 42 ′ 49 ″ N , 13 ° 19 ′ 32 ″ E55.713611111111 13.325555555556	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Nemagraptus gracilis ( graptolite ). Foot point: 1.4 m under a phosphorite - marker horizon in the digestion E14B.
Middle	Darriwilium	467.3 ± 1.1	Huangnitang , Changshan , Zhejiang , China	28 ° 51 ′ 14 " N , 118 ° 29 ′ 23" E28.853888888889 118.48972222222	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Undulograptus austrodentatus ( graptolite ). Base point: Basis of layer AEP 184.
Middle	Dapingium	470.0 ± 1.4	Huanghuachang Street Outcrop, Yichang , Hubei , China	30 ° 51 '38 " N , 111 ° 22' 27" E30.860555555556 111.37402777778	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Baltoniodus triangularis ( Conodont ). Base point: 10.57 m above the base of the Dawan Formation.
Lower	Floium	477.7 ± 1.4	Diabas bread quarry, Västergötland , Sweden	58 ° 21 '32 " N , 12 ° 30' 9" E58.358888888889 12.5025	Biostratigraphically: Lowest occurrence of Tetragraptus approximatus ( graptolite ). Base point: In the lower Tøyen slate, 2.1 m above the top of the Cambrian.
Lower	Tremadocium	485.4 ± 1.9	Green Point , Newfoundland , Canada	49 ° 40 ′ 58 " N , 57 ° 57 ′ 55" W.49.682777777778 -57.965277777778	Biostratigraphically: first appearance of Iapetognathus fluctivagus ( Conodont ). Base point: At a height of 101.8 m, within layer 23, in the measured profile.

Cambrian

series	step	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Furongium	10th stage	≈ 489.5	most promising candidate is Duibian ( Zhejiang , China )	-	Biostratigraphic: First appearance of Lotagnostus americanus ( trilobite ).
	Jiangshanium	≈ 494	Profile Duibian B, Zhejiang , China	28 ° 48 ′ 58 " N , 118 ° 36 ′ 54" E28.816111111111 118.615	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Agnostotes orientalis and Irvingella angustilimbata ( trilobites ). Base point: at profile meter 28.2
	Paibium	≈ 497	Paibi , Huayuan , Hunan , China	28 ° 23 '22 " N , 109 ° 31' 32" E28.389444444444 109.52555555556	Biostratigraphically: first appearance of the agnostoid Glyptagnostus reticulatus ( trilobite ). Climatic: Coincides with the base of the Steptoean Anomaly (SPICE), a positive carbon isotope anomaly. Base point: at profile meter 396 in the Huaqiao formation
Miaolingium	Guzhangium	≈ 500.5	Luoyixi , Guzhang , Hunan , China	28 ° 43 '12 " N , 109 ° 57' 53" E28.72 109.96472222222	Biostratigraphically: first appearance of Lejopyge laevigata ( trilobite ). Foot point: 121.3 m above the base of the Huaqiao Formation
	Drumium	≈ 504.5	"Stratotype Ridge", Drum Mountains , Utah , USA	39 ° 30 ′ 42 " N , 112 ° 59 ′ 29" W.39.511666666667 -112.99138888889	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of Ptychagnostus atavus ( trilobite ). Base point: 62 m above the base of the Wheeler Shale
	Wuliuum	≈ 509	Wuliu Zengjiayan Profile, Jianhe , Guizhou , China	26 ° 44 ′ 51 ″ N , 108 ° 24 ′ 50 ″ E26.7475 108.41388888889	Biostratigraphic: First appearance of Oryctocephalus indicus ( trilobite ) Base point: 52.8 m above the base of the Kaili formation
2nd series	4th stage	≈ 514	no candidates in the shortlist yet	-	Biostratigraphically: First appearance of the trilobites Olenellus or Redlichia .
2nd series	3rd stage	≈ 521	no candidates in the shortlist yet	-	Biostratigraphically: first appearance of trilobites ( superfamily Fallotaspidoidea )
Terreneuvium	2nd stage	≈ 529	no candidates in the shortlist yet	-	potential index fossils are small shelly fossils or archaeocyathids
Terreneuvium	Fortunium	541.0 ± 1.0	Fortune Head , Newfoundland , Canada	47 ° 4 ′ 34 " N , 55 ° 49 ′ 52" W.47.076111111111 -55.831111111111	Biostratigraphic (imprecise): First appearance of Trichophycus pedum ( trace fossil ), however T. pedum was subsequently detected approx. 4.5 m below the base point. Base point: 2.4 m above the base of subformation 2 of the Chapel Island Formation

Neoproterozoic

system	Age (ma)	Location of the GSSP	Geographic coordinates	Defining features
Ediacarium	≈ 635	Enorama Creek profile in the Flinders Range , South Australia	31 ° 19 ′ 53 ″ S , 138 ° 38 ′ 0 ″ E-31.331444444444 138.63338888889	Climatic: rapid retreat of the marine ice sheets and the onset of carbonate sedimentation (so-called " cap carbonates" ), associated with a conspicuous pattern of long-lasting carbon isotope anomalies Base: Base of the cover carbonate of the Nuccaleena Formation
Cryogenium	720	no candidates in the shortlist yet	-	Climatic: first icing after the 750 Ma time mark, but currently still defined by a GSSA (i.e. purely chronometrically).
Tonium	1000	no candidates in the shortlist yet	-	currently still defined by a GSSA

literature

Felix M. Gradstein, James G. Ogg, Alan G. Smith (Eds.): A Geologic Time Scale 2004 . Cambridge University Press, 2004, ISBN 0-521-78673-8 .
Felix M. Gradstein, James G. Ogg, Mark Schmitz, Gabi Ogg (Eds.): The Geologic Time Scale 2012 . Elsevier BV, 2012, ISBN 978-0-444-59425-9 .
Michael A. Murphy, Amos Salvador (Red.): International Stratigraphic Guide - An abridged version. Episodes. Vol. 22, No. 4, 1999, pp. 255-271 ( online ), pp. 266 ff.

Web links

Commons : Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point - collection of images, videos and audio files

List of all GSSPs defined so far on the ICS website (English) with numerical age, location data, type of stratigraphic marker (s), etc .; a data sheet with further details is linked in the leftmost column, the publication of the ratification in the rightmost column
Alexanderrautel: "Golden Spike": a window into the history of the earth - a visit to the marker point of the Permian Triassic mass extinction in Meishan . Article on scinexx from January 7, 2011

Individual evidence

↑ HD Hedberg (Ed.): International Stratigraphic Guide . J. Wiley, New York 1976.
^ A. Martinsson (Ed.): The Silurian-Devonian Boundary. IUGS Series A, Vol. 5. Schweizerbart, Stuttgart 1977.
^ "[...] if a strong demand arises out of research subsequent to its establishment. But in the meantime it will give a stable point of reference. Normally this stability should be maintained and the practical value of the boundary definition tested for a minimum period of ten years. “Quoted from the Revised guidelines for the establishment of global chronostratigraphic standards by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) ( Remane et al., 1996 ) in Alan G. Smith, Tiffany Barry, Paul Bown, John Cope, Andy Gale, Philip Gibbard , John Gregory, Mark Hounslow, David Kemp, Robert Knox, John Marshall, Michael Oates, Peter Rawson, John Powell, Colin Waters: GSSPs, global stratigraphy and correlation. Geological Society, London, Special Publications. Vol. 404, 2014, pp. 37–67, doi: 10.1144 / SP404.8 (alternative full text access : ResearchGate )

^ Formal subdivision of the Pleistocene Series / Epoch. Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy 2010, accessed April 1, 2016; actually contained word for word in B. Pillans, P. Gibbard: The Quaternary Period. Pp. 979-1010 in Felix M. Gradstein, James G. Ogg, Mark Schmitz, Gabi Ogg (Eds.): The Geologic Time Scale 2012. Elsevier BV, 2012, ISBN 978-0-444-59425-9 , pp. 987 f.

↑ Chattian stratotype - GSSP for Chattian Stage. Web presence of the International Subcommission on Paleogene Stratigraphy (ISPS), accessed on September 22, 2017

↑ Gilles S. Odin, Michèle A. Lamaurelle: The global Campanian-Maastrichtian stage boundary. Episodes. Vol. 24, No. 4, 2001, pp. 229–238 ( PDF 350 kB)

↑ ^a ^b ^c Katsumi Ueno & Moscovian-Kasimovian and Kasimovian-Gzhelian boundary task group: 2015 Work plans for the task group to establish the Moscovian-Kasimovian and Kasimovian-Gzhelian boundaries. ICS Subcomission on Carboniferous Stratigraphy, 2015 ( PDF 50 kB)

↑ ^a ^b Alexander Alekseev & Bashkirian-Moscovianv boundary task group: 2015 Work plans for the task group to establish a GSSP close to the existing Bashkirian-Moscovian boundary. ICS Subcomission on Carboniferous Stratigraphy, 2015 ( PDF 30 kB)

↑ Barry C. Richards & Viséan-Serpukhovian boundary task group: 2015 Work plans for the task group to establish a GSSP close to the existing Viséan-Serpukhovian boundary. ICS Subcomission on Carboniferous Stratigraphy, 2015 ( PDF 60 kB)

↑ Loren E. Babcock, Shanchi Peng, Maoyan Zhu, Shuhai Xiao, Per Ahlberg: Proposed reassessment of the Cambrian GSSP. Journal of African Earth Sciences. Vol. 98, 2014, doi: 10.1016 / j.jafrearsci.2014.06.023 (alternative full text access : ResearchGate ), pp. 3–10

[1] HD Hedberg (Ed.): International Stratigraphic Guide . J. Wiley, New York 1976.

[2] A. Martinsson (Ed.): The Silurian-Devonian Boundary. IUGS Series A, Vol. 5. Schweizerbart, Stuttgart 1977.

[3] "[...] if a strong demand arises out of research subsequent to its establishment. But in the meantime it will give a stable point of reference. Normally this stability should be maintained and the practical value of the boundary definition tested for a minimum period of ten years. “Quoted from the Revised guidelines for the establishment of global chronostratigraphic standards by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) ( Remane et al., 1996 ) in Alan G. Smith, Tiffany Barry, Paul Bown, John Cope, Andy Gale, Philip Gibbard , John Gregory, Mark Hounslow, David Kemp, Robert Knox, John Marshall, Michael Oates, Peter Rawson, John Powell, Colin Waters: GSSPs, global stratigraphy and correlation. Geological Society, London, Special Publications. Vol. 404, 2014, pp. 37–67, doi: 10.1144 / SP404.8 (alternative full text access : ResearchGate )

[4] Formal subdivision of the Pleistocene Series / Epoch. Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy 2010, accessed April 1, 2016; actually contained word for word in B. Pillans, P. Gibbard: The Quaternary Period. Pp. 979-1010 in Felix M. Gradstein, James G. Ogg, Mark Schmitz, Gabi Ogg (Eds.): The Geologic Time Scale 2012. Elsevier BV, 2012, ISBN 978-0-444-59425-9 , pp. 987 f.

[5] Chattian stratotype - GSSP for Chattian Stage. Web presence of the International Subcommission on Paleogene Stratigraphy (ISPS), accessed on September 22, 2017

[odin-6] Gilles S. Odin, Michèle A. Lamaurelle: The global Campanian-Maastrichtian stage boundary. Episodes. Vol. 24, No. 4, 2001, pp. 229–238 ( PDF 350 kB)

[ueno-7] Katsumi Ueno & Moscovian-Kasimovian and Kasimovian-Gzhelian boundary task group: 2015 Work plans for the task group to establish the Moscovian-Kasimovian and Kasimovian-Gzhelian boundaries. ICS Subcomission on Carboniferous Stratigraphy, 2015 ( PDF 50 kB)

[alekseev-8] Alexander Alekseev & Bashkirian-Moscovianv boundary task group: 2015 Work plans for the task group to establish a GSSP close to the existing Bashkirian-Moscovian boundary. ICS Subcomission on Carboniferous Stratigraphy, 2015 ( PDF 30 kB)

[9] Barry C. Richards & Viséan-Serpukhovian boundary task group: 2015 Work plans for the task group to establish a GSSP close to the existing Viséan-Serpukhovian boundary. ICS Subcomission on Carboniferous Stratigraphy, 2015 ( PDF 60 kB)

[10] Loren E. Babcock, Shanchi Peng, Maoyan Zhu, Shuhai Xiao, Per Ahlberg: Proposed reassessment of the Cambrian GSSP. Journal of African Earth Sciences. Vol. 98, 2014, doi: 10.1016 / j.jafrearsci.2014.06.023 (alternative full text access : ResearchGate ), pp. 3–10