List of Global Boundary Stratotype Sections and Points

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This is a list of Global Boundary Stratotype Sections and Points. Since 1977, Global Boundary Stratotype Sections and Points (abbreviated GSSPs) are internationally agreed upon reference points on stratigraphic sections of rock which define the lower boundaries of stages on the geologic time scale. They are selected by the International Commission on Stratigraphy based on multiple factors, but their accessibility and the degree to which they are representative of the same boundary on sections worldwide are among the most important.

Since GSSPs require well-preserved sections of rock without interruptions in sedimentation, and since most are defined by different stages of animal life, defining them becomes progressively more difficult as one goes farther back in time.

Organization of this list

This list is divided first into the geologic eras of the Phanerozoic (the Cenozoic, the Mesozoic, and the Paleozoic) and then into the geologic periods of each era. Each period is marked below the era bar on top of its subdivided epochs and stages. Each stage is assigned an age in mya, an acronym for million years ago, which is the age at which it began. Most of these ages are derived from astronomical cycles in sediments, magnetic data, biostratigraphic data, and radiometric dating methods. The GSSP assigned to each stage is that stage's lower boundary and oldest point.

Ages are given in "million year ago" (mya). They are obtained with different radiometric dating methods depending on the type of rock and its age. Ages that have a tilde (~) prefix are approximate ages for GSSPs that have not been defined or not been accurately dated.

The Status column has a "golden spike" for every GSSP which has been formally agreed by the ICS. Those without have only candidate sections which have not yet been formally ratified. The clock stands for times that are currently defined only by an age.

The "Defining markers" column lists the evidence in the rock used to define the boundary. (Ideally, these are applicable in rock sections worldwide.) Most of the boundaries rely on the fossil record (biologic), paleomagnetic data (magnetic), and/or climate data determined by carbon and oxygen isotopes.

List

Cenozoic

Quaternary

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Holocene
Meghalayan 0.0042
Mawmluh Cave, Meghalaya, India 25.2622°N 91.7150°E / 25.2622; 91.7150 [1][2]
Northgrippian 0.0082
NGRIP1 ice core,

Greenland

 75.1000°N 42.3200°W / 75.1000; -42.3200 [1]
Greenlandian 0.0117
NGRIP2 ice core,

Greenland

 75.1000°N 42.3200°W / 75.1000; -42.3200 [1][3]
Pleistocene
Upper/Late 0.129 -
  • Climatic: Marine Isotope Substage 5e
 - -
Chibanian 0.774
Chiba, Japan 35.2943°N 140.1465°E / 35.2943; 140.1465 [4]
Calabrian 1.8
Vrica Section,

Calabria, Italy

 39.0385°N 17.1348°E / 39.0385; 17.1348 [5]
Gelasian 2.58
Monte San Nicola Section,

Gela, Sicily, Italy

 37.146468°N 14.204562°E / 37.146468; 14.204562 [6]
Close

Neogene

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Pliocene
Piacenzian 3.6
Punta Piccola Section,

Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Italy

 37.289386°N 13.491443°E / 37.289386; 13.491443 [7]
Zanclean 5.333
Heraclea Minoa section

Heraclea Minoa, Cattolica Eraclea, Sicily, Italy

 37.392435°N 13.281052°E / 37.392435; 13.281052 [8]
Miocene
Messinian 7.246
Oued Akrech section,

Rabat, Morocco

 33.925050°N 6.809047°W / 33.925050; -6.809047 [9]
Tortonian 11.63
Monte dei Corvi Beach section,

Ancona, Italy

 43.587242°N 13.566148°E / 43.587242; 13.566148 [10]
Serravallian 13.82
Ras il Pellegrin section,

Fomm ir-Riħ Bay, Malta
  • Magnetic: Within magnetic polarity chronozone C5ABr.
  • Biologic: Below first appearance of Sphenolithus heteromorphus (Haptophyte)
  • Climatic: Mi3b isotopic event (Global cooling episode).
 35.9139°N 14.3361°E / 35.9139; 14.3361 [11]
Langhian 15.98
At 17.84 m in the 'Lower La Vedova Beach' section, Ancona, Italy 43.5919°N 13.5623°E / 43.5919; 13.5623 [4]
Burdigalian 20.45 Candidate sections:
  • Astronomically tuned ODP core (e.g. Ceara Rise, Leg 154)
 - [4]
Aquitanian 23.04
Lemme-Carrosio Section,

Carrosio, Italy

 44.6601°N 8.83928°E / 44.6601; 8.83928 [12]
Close

Paleogene

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Oligocene
Chattian 27.3
Monte Cagnero, Central Apennines, Italy Biological: last occurrence of the planktonic foraminifer Chiloguembelina (Base of Foram Zone P21b) 43.646748°N 12.467771°E / 43.646748; 12.467771 [13]
Rupelian 33.9
Massignano quarry section,

Massignano, Ancona, Italy

 43.536038°N 13.592499°E / 43.536038; 13.592499 [14]
Eocene
Priabonian 37.71
Alano section,

Piave river, Venetian Prealps, Belluno, Italy
  • Biologic: Last appearance of large acarininids and Morozovelloides crassatus; The Base of common and continuous Cribrocentrum erbae and the Top of Chiasmolithus grandis
  • Magnetic: The Base of Chronozone C17n and Subchron C17n.2n
 45.9141°N 11.9180°E / 45.9141; 11.9180 [15]
Bartonian 41.03 Contessa highway section

Gubbio, Central Apennines, Italy

 43.37972°N 12.56219°E / 43.37972; 12.56219 -
Lutetian 48.07
Gorrondatxe sea-cliff section,

Western Pyrenees, Basque Country, Spain

 43.3796°N 3.0143°W / 43.3796; -3.0143 [16]
Ypresian 56
Dababiya section,

Luxor, Egypt
  • Climatic: Base of negative Carbon Isotope Excursion (CIE).
 25.5000°N 32.5311°E / 25.5000; 32.5311 [17][18]
Paleocene
Thanetian 59.24
Zumaia Section,

Basque Country, Spain
  • Magnetic: Base of magnetic polarity chronozone C26n.
 43.2996°N 2.2609°W / 43.2996; -2.2609 [19]
Selandian 61.66
Zumaia Section,

Basque Country, Spain
  • Chemical: Onset of sea-level drop and carbon isotope shift.
  • Magnetic: 30 precession cycles after the top of magnetic polarity Chron 27n
 43.2992°N 2.2610°W / 43.2992; -2.2610 [19]
Danian 66
El Kef Section,

El Kef, Tunisia

 36.1537°N 8.6486°E / 36.1537; 8.6486 [20]
Close

Mesozoic

Cretaceous

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Upper
Maastrichtian 72.2
Grande Carrière quarry,

Landes, France

 43.6795°N 1.1133°W / 43.6795; -1.1133 [21]
Campanian 83.6
Bottaccione, Gubbio, Italy
  • Magnetic: Base of Chron C33r.
 43.3627°N 12.5828°E / 43.3627; 12.5828 [22][23]
Santonian 85.7
Olazagutia, Spain 42.8668°N 2.1968°W / 42.8668; -2.1968 [4]
Coniacian 89.8
Salzgitter-Salder quarry, Germany 52.1243°N 10.3295°E / 52.1243; 10.3295 [4]
Turonian 93.9
Rock Canyon,

Colorado, United States

 38.2822°N 104.7275°W / 38.2822; -104.7275 [24]
Cenomanian 100.5
Mont Risoux,

Hautes-Alpes, France

 44.391120°N 5.510970°E / 44.391120; 5.510970 [25]
Lower
Albian 113.2
Col de Pré-Guittard section, Arnayon, Drôme, France 44.507861°N 5.297250°E / 44.507861; 5.297250 [26]

[27]

Aptian 121.4 Candidate section: - -
Barremian 125.77
Río Argos, Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia Province, Spain
  • Biologic: First appearance of Ammonite Taveraidiscus hugii.
 - [28]
Hauterivian 132.6
La Charce, Drôme, France 44.4694°N 5.4437°E / 44.4694; 5.4437 [29][30]
Valanginian 137.05
Montbrun-les-Bains, Drôme, France
  • Biologic: First appearance of Thurmanniceras pertransiens (Ammonite).
 44.2031°N 5.4175°E / 44.2031; 5.4175 [31]
Berriasian 143.1 Candidate section:

Candidates:
Close

Jurassic

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Upper
Tithonian 149.2 Candidate sections:
  • Magnetic: Base of magnetic polarity chronozone M22An.
  • Biologic: Near first appearance of Hybonoticeras hybonotum (Ammonite).
  • Biologic: First appearance of genus Gravesia (Ammonite).
 - -
Kimmeridgian 154.8
Flodigarry, Isle of Skye, Scotland, U.K. 57.6610°N 6.2455°W / 57.6610; -6.2455 [4]
Oxfordian 161.5 Candidate sections: - -
Middle
Callovian 165.3 Candidate sections: - -
Bathonian 168.2
Ravin du Bès, Bas-Auran, Alpes de Haute, France
  • Biologic: First appearance of Gonolkites convergen (Ammonite).
 43.9606°N 6.3153°E / 43.9606; 6.3153 [33]
Bajocian 170.9
Cabo Mondego, Portugal 40.1992°N 8.9042°W / 40.1992; -8.9042 [34]
Aalenian 174.7
Fuentelsaz, Spain
  • Biologic: First appearance of Leioceras opalinum and Leioceras lineatum
  • Biologic: First appearance of genus Leioceras (Ammonite).
 41°4′44.9″N 1°49′49.2″W [35]
Lower
Toarcian 184.2
Peniche, Portugal 39.3708°N 9.3853°W / 39.3708; -9.3853 [36]
Pliensbachian 192.9
Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire, England, U.K. 54.4069°N 0.4975°W / 54.4069; -0.4975 [37]
Sinemurian 199.5
East Quantoxhead, West Somerset, England, UK 51.1909°N 3.2364°W / 51.1909; -3.2364 [38]
Hettangian 201.4
Kuhjoch section, Karwendel mountains, Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria 47.4839°N 11.5306°E / 47.4839; 11.5306
Close

Triassic

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Upper
Rhaetian ~205.7 Candidate sections: - -
Norian ~227.3 Candidate sections: - -
Carnian ~237
Prati di Stuores, Dolomites, Italy 46.5269°N 11.9303°E / 46.5269; 11.9303 [40]
Middle
Ladinian 241.464
Bagolino, Lombardian pre-Alps, Italy 45.818380°N 10.470270°E / 45.818380; 10.470270 [41]
Anisian 246.7 Candidate sections: 45.0742°N 28.8022°E / 45.0742; 28.8022
Lower
Olenekian 249.9 Candidate sections: 31.9654°N 78.0246°E / 31.9654; 78.0246
Induan 251.902
Meishan, Zhejiang, China 31.0798°N 119.7058°E / 31.0798; 119.7058
Close

Paleozoic

Permian

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Lopingian
Changhsingian 254.14
Zhejiang, China 31.0819°N 119.7064°E / 31.0819; 119.7064 [42]
Wuchiapingian 259.51
Penglaitan Section,

Laibin, Guangxi, China

 23.6953°N 109.3211°E / 23.6953; 109.3211 [43]
Guadalupian
Capitanian 264.28
Nipple Hill, Guadalupe Mountains, Texas, U.S.A. 31.9091°N 104.7892°W / 31.9091; -104.7892 [4]
Wordian 266.9
Guadalupe Pass, Guadalupe Mountains, Texas, U.S.A. 31.8658°N 104.8328°W / 31.8658; -104.8328 [4]
Roadian 274.4
Stratotype Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains, Texas, U.S.A. 31.8767°N 104.8768°W / 31.8767; -104.8768 [4]
Cisuralian
Kungurian 283.3 Candidate section: - [4]
Artinskian 290.1
Dalny Tulkas section, Southern Ural Mountains, Russia 53.88847°N 56.51615°E / 53.88847; 56.51615 [4]
Sakmarian 293.52
Usolka section, Southern Urals, Russia 53.9247°N 56.7287°E / 53.9247; 56.7287 [44][45]
Asselian 298.9
Aidaralash, Ural Mountains, Kazakhstan 50.2458°N 57.8914°E / 50.2458; 57.8914 [46]
Close

Carboniferous

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Pennsylvanian
Gzhelian 303.7 Candidate sections: - [4]
Kasimovian 307 Candidate sections:
  • Biologic: First appearance of Protriticites or 1 million years older Montiparus montiparus
 - [4]
Moscovian 315.2 Candidate sections: - [4]
Bashkirian 323.4
Arrow Canyon, Nevada, United States 36.7333°N 114.7778°W / 36.7333; -114.7778 [47]
Mississippian
Serpukhovian 330.3 Candidate sections: - [4]
Visean 346.7
Pengchong Section,

Guangxi, China
  • Biologic: First appearance of Eoparastaffella simplex
 24.4333°N 109.4500°E / 24.4333; 109.4500 [4]
Tournaisian 358.86
La Serre, Montagne Noire, France 43.55554°N 3.35868°E / 43.55554; 3.35868 [48]
Close

Devonian

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Upper
Famennian 372.15
Coumiac quarry,Coumiac [fr]

Montagne Noire, France

 43.4705°N 3.0597°E / 43.4705; 3.0597 [49]
Frasnian 382.31
Col du Puech de la Suque, Montagne Noire, France
  • Biologic: First appearance of Ancyrodella rotundiloba (Conodont).
 43.5032°N 3.0868°E / 43.5032; 3.0868 [50]
Middle
Givetian 387.95
Jebel Mech Irdane, Tafilalt, Morocco 31.2374°N 4.3541°W / 31.2374; -4.3541 [51]
Eifelian 393.47
Wetteldorf Richtschnitt section,

Wetteldorf, Eifel, Germany

 50.1496°N 6.4716°E / 50.1496; 6.4716 [52]
Lower
Emsian 410.62
Zinzil'ban Gorge, Uzbekistan 39.2000°N 67.3056°E / 39.2000; 67.3056 [53]
Pragian 413.02
Velká Chuchle quarry

Velká Chuchle, Prague, Czech Republic
  • Biologic: First appearance of Eognathodus sulcatus (Conodont).
 50.0147°N 14.3726°E / 50.0147; 14.3726 [54]
Lochkovian 419.62
Klonk, Prague, Czech Republic 49.90083°N 14.06111°E / 49.90083; 14.06111 [4]
Close

Silurian

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Přídolí 422.7
Požáry Section,

Řeporyje District, Prague, Czech Republic

 50.0277°N 14.3249°E / 50.0277; 14.3249 [55]
Ludlow
Ludfordian 425
Sunnyhill, Ludlow, Shropshire, England, U.K.
  • Imprecise GSSP.
  • Biologic: Near first appearance of Saetograptus leintwardinensis (Graptolite).
 52.3592°N 2.7772°W / 52.3592; -2.7772 [56]
Gorstian 426.7
Pitch Coppice, Ludlow, Shropshire, England, U.K.
  • Biologic: First appearance Saetograptus (Colonograptus) varians
 52.3592°N 2.7772°W / 52.3592; -2.7772 [56]
Wenlock
Homerian 430.6
Whitwell Coppice, Homer, England, U.K. 52.6156°N 2.5647°W / 52.6156; -2.5647 [56]
Sheinwoodian 432.9
Hughley Brook, Apedale, England, U.K.
  • Imprecise GSSP. Will be reexamined.
  • Biologic: Currently between acritarch biozone 5 and last appearance of Pterospathodus amorphognathoides. Candidate boundaries are a conodont boundary (Ireviken datum 2) which is close to the murchisoni graptolite biozone.
 52.5811°N 2.6389°W / 52.5811; -2.6389 [4][56]
Llandovery
Telychian 438.6
El Pintado section,

Province of Seville, Spain
  • Biologic: FAD of the graptolite Spirograptus guerichi
 37.9853°N 5.9285°W / 37.9853; -5.9285 [4][57][58]
Aeronian 440.5
Hlásná Třebaň section, Czech Republic
  • Biologic: First appearance of Demirastrites triangulatus (Graptolite).
 49.9230°N 14.2119°E / 49.9230; 14.2119 [4][58][59]
Rhuddanian 443.1
Dob's Linn, Moffat, Dumfries-shire, Scotland, U.K.
  • Biologic: First appearance of Akidograptus ascensus and Parakidograptus acuminatus (Graptolite).
  • 1.6 m above the base of the Birkhill Shale Formation.
 55.4400°N 3.2700°W / 55.4400; -3.2700 [55]
Close

Ordovician

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Upper
Hirnantian 445.2
Wangjiawan section

Wangjiawan, Yichang, China
  • Biologic: First appearance of Normalograptus extraordinarius (Graptolite).
  • Climatic: Base of major positive carbon isotope excursion.
  • Climatic: Beginning of sea-level fall associated with onset of a major glaciation.
 30.9841°N 111.4197°E / 30.9841; 111.4197 [60]
Katian 452.8
Black Knob Ridge section,

Oklahoma, United States
  • Biologic: First appearance of Diplacanthograptus caudatus (Graptolite).
  • Climatic: Just below base of Guttenberg carbon isotope excursion.
 34.4305°N 96.0746°W / 34.4305; -96.0746 [61]
Sandbian 458.2
Fågelsång section

Sularp Brook, Skåne, Sweden

 55.7137°N 13.3255°E / 55.7137; 13.3255 [62]
Middle
Darriwilian 469.4
Huangnitang Section

Huangnitang Village, Changshan, Zhejiang, China
  • Biologic: First appearance of Undulograptus austrodentatus (Graptolite).
 28.8539°N 118.4897°E / 28.8539; 118.4897 [63]
Dapingian 471.3
Huanghuachang section

Huanghuachang, Yichang, China

 30.8605°N 111.3740°E / 30.8605; 111.3740 [64][65]
Lower
Floian 477.1
Diabasbrottet quarry,

Västergötland, Sweden

 58.3589°N 12.5024°E / 58.3589; 12.5024 [66]
Tremadocian 486.85
Greenpoint section

Green Point, Newfoundland, Canada

 49.6829°N 57.9653°W / 49.6829; -57.9653 [67]
Close

Cambrian

More information Epoch, Stage ...
Epoch Stage Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Furongian
Stage 10 491 Candidate sections:

Candidates:

 - [68]
Jiangshanian ~494.2
Duibian B Section

Duibian, Zhejiang, China

 28.815967°N 118.614933°E / 28.815967; 118.614933 [69]
Paibian ~497
Paibi section

Paibi, Hunan, China

 28.3895°N 109.5257°E / 28.3895; 109.5257 [70]
Miaolingian
Guzhangian ~500.5
Luoyixi section

Luoyixi, Guzhang, Hunan, China

 28.7200°N 109.9647°E / 28.7200; 109.9647 [71]
Drumian ~504.5
Drumian section

Wheeler Shale, Utah, U.S.A.

 39.5117°N 112.9915°W / 39.5117; -112.9915 [72]
Wuliuan ~506.5
Wuliu-Zengjiayan, Guizhou, China 26.0807°N 108.4138°E / 26.0807; 108.4138 [73][74]
Series 2
Stage 4 ~514.5 None - [75]
Stage 3 ~521 None - [76][77]
Terreneuvian
Stage 2 ~529 None - -
Fortunian 538.8
Fortune head section,

Newfoundland, Canada

 47.0762°N 55.8310°W / 47.0762; -55.8310 [78]
Close

Precambrian

Proterozoic

More information Era, Period ...
Era Period Age (mya) Status GSSP location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Neoproterozoic
Ediacaran ~635
Enorama Creek section, Flinders Ranges, South Australia
  • Geologic: Worldwide distinct cap carbonates.
  • Isotopic: Beginning of a distinctive pattern of secular changes in carbon isotopes.
 31.3314°S 138.6334°E / -31.3314; 138.6334 [79]
Cryogenian ~720 Defined chronometrically with an interim calibrated age of ca. 720 Ma. GSSP is in progress.
  • Geologic: the GSSP has been recommended to be placed at a stratigraphic level beneath the first appearance of widespread glaciation associated with the Sturtian glacial epoch.[80]
 - [80]
Tonian 1000
Defined chronometrically - - [81]
Mesoproterozoic
Stenian 1200
Defined chronometrically - - [81]
Ectasian 1400
Defined chronometrically - - [81]
Calymmian 1600
Defined chronometrically - - [81]
Paleoproterozoic
Statherian 1800
Defined chronometrically - - [81]
Orosirian 2050
Defined chronometrically - - [81]
Rhyacian 2300
Defined chronometrically - - [81]
Siderian 2500
Defined chronometrically - - [81]
Close

Archean and Hadean

More information Eon, Era ...
Eon Era Age (mya) Status GSSP/GSSA location Defining markers Geographic Coordinates References
Archean
Neoarchean 2800
- Defined chronometrically - -
Mesoarchean 3200
- Defined chronometrically - -
Paleoarchean 3600
- Defined chronometrically - -
Eoarchean 4031
Along the Acasta River, Northwest Territories, Canada Defined chronometrically

Ten oldest U-Pb zircon ages

 65.1738°N 115.5538°W / 65.1738; -115.5538 [4]
Hadean - 4567.3
- Defined chronometrically

Formation of the Solar System

 - [4]
Close

See also

References

External links

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