A Geologic Time Scale 2004

A new detailed international geologic time scale, including methodology and a wallchart.

Felix M. Gradstein (Edited by), James G. Ogg (Edited by), Alan G. Smith (Edited by)

9780521786737, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 17 March 2005

610 pages, 164 b/w illus. 24 colour illus. 63 tables
27.5 x 21.8 x 3.9 cm, 1.896 kg

'The book is an inspiring leader in practical stratigraphy, its philosophical roots, and its prime product.: The Geologic Time Scale. It is a very important publication for graduate scholars, scientists, and sedimentologists, hydrogeologists, and petroleum geologists.' Environmental Geology

An international team of over forty stratigraphic experts have helped to build the most up-to-date international stratigraphic framework for the Precambrian and Phanerozoic. This successor to A Geologic Time Scale 1989 by W. Brian Harland et al. (CUP 0521 387655) begins with an introduction to the theory and methodology behind the construction of the new time scale. The main part of the book is devoted to the scale itself, systematically presenting the standard subdivisions at all levels using a variety of correlation markers. Extensive use is made of isotope geochronology, geomathematics and orbital tuning to produce a standard geologic scale of unprecedented detail and accuracy with a full error analysis. A wallchart summarising the whole time scale, with paleogeographic reconstructions throughout the Phanerozoic, is included in the back of the book. The time scale will be an invaluable reference source for academic and professional researchers and students.

Part I. Introduction: 1. Introduction F. M. Gradstein
2. Chronostratigraphy - linking time and rock F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg and A. G. Smith
Part II. Concepts and Methods: 3. Biostratigraphy F. M. Gradstein, R. A. Cooper and P. M. Sadler
4. Earth's orbital parameters and cycle stratigraphy L. A. Hinnov
5. The geomagnetic polarity time scale J. G. Ogg and A. G. Smith
6. Radiogenic isotope geochronology M. Villeneuve
7. Stable isotopes J. M. McArthur and R. J. Howarth
8. Geomathematics F. P. Agterberg
Part III. Geologic Periods: 9. The Precambrian: the Archaen and Proterozoic eons L. J. Robb, A. H. Knoll, K. A. Plumb, G. A. Shields, H. Strauss and J. Veizer
10. Toward a 'natural' Precambrian time scale W. Bleeker
11. The Cambrian period J. H. Shergold and R. A. Cooper
12. The Ordovician period R. A. Cooper and P. M. Sadler
13. The Silurian period M. J. Melchin, R. A. Cooper and P. M. Sadler
14. The Devonian period M. R. House and F. M. Gradstein
15. The Carboniferous period V. Davydov, B. R. Wardlaw and F. M. Gradstein
16. The Permian period B. R. Wardlaw, V. Davydov and F. M. Gradstein
17. The Triassic period J. G. Ogg
18. The Jurassic period J. G. Ogg
19. The Cretaceous Period J. G. Ogg, F. P. Agterberg and F. M. Gradstein
20. The Paleogene period H. P. Luterbacher, J. R. Ali, H. Brinkhuis, F. M. Gradstein, J. J. Hooker, S. Monechi, J. G. Ogg, J. Powell, U. Röhl, A. Sanfilippo, and B. Schmitz
21. The Neogene period L. Lourens, F. Hilgen, N. J. Shackleton, J. Laskar and D. Wilson
22. The Pleistocene and Holocene epochs P. Gibbard and T. van Kolfschoten
Part IV. Summary: 23. Construction and summary of the geologic time scale F. M.. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg and A. G. Smith
Appendices
Bibliography
Stratigraphic index
General index.

Subject Areas: Earth sciences [RB]