Paleonet: International Geological Timescale [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[Martin Farley]

First, given the uncertainties in the age estimates for these stage
boundaries, the differences are not huge (or even important).

Second, there will always be a conflict between having a standard that is
usable within an organization (or more generally) and having information
that is completely up to date. My advice is to pick a standard (e.g., that
used by TS Creator) and not worry about improved information until the
standard is updated. The alternative (updating the timescale on an ad hoc
basis) is chaos.


On Wed, October 3, 2012 2:27 am, John.Laurie at ga.gov.au wrote:
>
> The Geological Timescale in the International Chronostratigraphic Chart on
> the ICS website
> (http://www.stratigraphy.org/ics%20chart/ChronostratChart2012.pdf) differs
> from that in the two volume "A Geological Timescale" released at the IGC
> in August. While most of the numerical ages are the same, some differ
> considerably. Some of these are listed below:
>
> Stage                ICS                   Book
> Hauterivian        132.9                133.9
> Barremian         129.4                130.8
> Aptian               125.0                126.3
> Carnian             235.0                237.0
> Rhaetian           208.5                209.5
> Olenekian          251.2                250.0
>
> While these differences are not huge, they immediately cause problems when
> the object across an organisation like mine is to have a standard
> timescale to which everyone adheres, as the ICS timescale is the one
> everyone has on their wall. However, to generate many of our stratigraphic
> diagrams/charts we use Timescale Creator (which follows the book). Can we
> please have a consensus? If not, we will be back where we were in the
> 1990s when everyone had their own version.
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> Dr John R. Laurie
> Energy Division
> GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA
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>
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Truly yours,

Martin Farley
mbfarley at sigmaxi.net