尚未完成的地质年代表——第四纪悬而未决的前程

第四纪是以气候变化、人类出现和现生生物物种占优势为特征的最新地质时期。第四纪的地层多以松散沉积物为主,是人类赖以生存居住的主要场所。鉴于第四纪研究对地质学,地球系统科学和全球变化科学的贡献,近几十年来学术界和公众对其产生极大兴趣和更加重视。为了回应2 0 0 4年春国际地层委员会提出的“国际地层表”( 2 0 0 4 ) ,详细地介绍了国际第四纪联合会为争取第四纪在地质年表中的合理地位所作的努力以及目前争论的结果:今年比利时最终定论。呼吁我国广大的第四纪工作者积极加入到支持国际第四纪联合会保留第四系作为独立地层单元的行列中。同时简略地介绍了第四纪(系)术语的来由,国内外关于第四纪下限研究的历史和现状

IMPERFECT GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE--PENDING FUTURE OF THE QUATERNARY

Quaternary is the newest geological epoch characterized by the appearance of humans and the dominance of current biological species. It is comprised mainly of loose sediments. The Quaternary strata are the major environment where the humans reside. As a response to the new “International Stratigraphic Chart” suggested by ICS in the spring of 2004, this article deads with the perplexing Quaternary research history and its lower boundary definition over time, the attention paid by both academic and public to the Quaternary research through the progress achieved in the Geology, Earth System Science and Global Change study, the efforts made by INQUA as the organization of Quaternary research to retain the Quaternary as a formal unit and the current stage of negotiation: a final decision in Belgium in 2005, therefore calling on the Quaternary geologists in China to join in the force to support INQUA.