Formal ratification of the Quaternary System/Period and the Pleistocene Series/Epoch with a base at 2.58 Ma

In June 2009, the Executive Committee of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) formally ratified a proposal by the International Commission on Stratigraphy to lower the base of the Quaternary System/Period to the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Gelasian Stage/Age at Monte San Nicola, Sicily, Italy. The Gelasian until then had been the uppermost stage of the Pliocene Series/Epoch. The base of the Gelasian corresponds to Marine Isotope Stage 103, and has an astronomically tuned age of 2.58 Ma. A proposal that the base of the Pleistocene Series/Epoch be lowered to coincide with that of the Quaternary (the Gelasian GSSP) was also accepted by the IUGS Executive Committee. The GSSP at Vrica, Calabria, Italy, which had hitherto defined the basal boundary of both the Quaternary and the Pleistocene, remains available as the base of the Calabrian Stage/Age (now the second stage of the revised Pleistocene). In ratifying these proposals, the IUGS has acknowledged the distinctive qualities of the Quaternary by reaffirming it as a full system/period, correctly complied with the hierarchical requirements of the geological timescale by lowering the base of the Pleistocene to that of the Quaternary, and fully respected the historical and widespread current usage of both the terms ‘Quaternary’ and ‘Pleistocene’. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Formal subdivision of the Holocene Series/Epoch: a Discussion Paper by a Working Group of INTIMATE (Integration of ice‐core,marine and terrestrial records) and the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (International Commission on Stratigraphy)

This discussion paper, by a Working Group of INTIMATE (Integration of ice‐core, marine and terrestrial records) and the Subcommision on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS), considers the prospects for a formal subdivision of the Holocene Series/Epoch. Although previous attempts to subdivide the Holocene have proved inconclusive, recent developments in Quaternary stratigraphy, notably the definition of the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary and the emergence of formal subdivisions of the Pleistocene Series/Epoch, mean that it may be timely to revisit this matter. The Quaternary literature reveals a widespread but variable informal usage of a tripartite division of the Holocene (‘early’, ‘middle’ or ‘mid’, and ‘late’), and we argue that this de facto subdivision should now be formalized to ensure consistency in stratigraphic terminology. We propose an Early–Middle Holocene Boundary at 8200 a BP and a Middle–Late Holocene Boundary at 4200 a BP, each of which is linked to a Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP). Should the proposal find a broad measure of support from the Quaternary community, a submission will be made to the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), via the SQS and the ICS, for formal ratification of this subdivision of the Holocene Series/Epoch. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Position of the base of the Quaternary in West Siberia (based on paleobotanical and paleomagnetic evidence)

This study reviews a possible new position of the base of the Quaternary in West Siberia based on paleobotanical and paleomagnetic data in view of ratification of ICS recommendations by the IUGS Executive Committee and the decision of the Interdepartmental Commission on the Quaternary Stratigraphy of Russia to lower the base of the Quaternary (and, therefore, the base of the Pleistocene) at 2.58 Ma. The paleobotanical and paleomagnetic data from two horizons on the West Siberian plain (Kulunda, attributed in part to the formerly Neogene Gelasian Stage, and Kochki, attributed to the Quaternary) were used to identify global cooling that occurred synchronously with a regional cooling phase determined at the base of the Gelasian at Monte San Nicola, Italy.     

北京平原区上新统一更新统的划分

本文涉及的范围包括北京凹陷、大兴凸起、大厂凹陷及武清凹陷的一部分(图1)。第四系在凸起部位沉积较薄,在凹陷部位沉积较厚(图2)。新生代以来的地壳活动,特别是平原区主要断裂的继承性活动,对第四系的分布、岩性、岩相特征、海浸、海退都起着控制作用。     

第四系的正式地位和定义初步确定

国际地层委员会最新表决通过第四系为系级年代地层单位,它位于新近系之上,底界由意大利西西里岛的Monte San Nicola"金钉子"定义,也就是由定义格拉斯阶底界的"金钉子"来定义,年龄值约为2.59Ma;更新统的底界也下移到这个位置,格拉斯阶划归更新统,长期争论的第四系的地位和定义问题有望得到解决。     

Quaternary stratigraphy of Norden, a proposal for terminology and classification

Principles and terminology for classification of the Quaternary are discussed, including lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy. morphostratigraphy, climatostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy. The main conclusion is a proposal for a common chronostratigraphical classification of the Quaternary in Norden (and partly continental NW Europe). The Quaternary is subdivided into the Pleistocene and the Holocene Series. The Pleistocene is further subdivided into several provisional stages (Weichselian, Eemian, etc.), based on the sequence of glacials/interglacials. but with the boundaries preferably defined by stratotypes. The Late Weichselian and the Flandrian (Holocene) are subdivided into chronozoncs (Bolling, Older Dryas, Allerød, Younger Dryas, Preboreal, Boreal, Atlantic, Subboreal, Subatlantic) with the boundaries dcfined in conventional radiocarbon years.     

从天津CQJ4孔探讨中国东部海侵层的年代问题

天津CQJ4钻孔磁性地层研究结果表明,该孔第四系底界（258Ma）位于340m处,中更新世底界, 即B/M界线位于74m处。微体生物分析显示该孔岩芯记录了三个海侵层,分别位于42~120m、164~302m和5655~5800m,与渤海湾西岸其他钻孔对比,这三期海侵对应于“第Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ海侵层”。古地磁研究表明布容极性期内该孔记录了4次极性漂移,分别对应于Blake（120~110ka）、Jamaica（215~205ka）、Calabrian Ridge 1（325~315ka）和Calabrian Ridge 2（525~515ka）。结合钻孔岩芯磁性参数与深海氧同位素的对比,推测这三个海侵层的年龄分别为120~70ka、240~180ka和500ka左右,可以与中国东部沿海地区的“第Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ海侵层”相对应。这一对比方案与目前较普遍接受的沿海平原晚更新世以来三期大海侵的认识,在层位对比上明显冲突,但“晚更新世以来三期大海侵”之说,尚难以解释晚更新世底界与中更新世底界（B/M界线）过近的问题。     

Quaternary Stratigraphic Division and Paleoenvironmental Evolution Observed from Core LZK1 on Hengsha Island, Shanghai

The Quaternary sediments in the Yangtze delta are loose and lack precise stratification marks in the lithology. Moreover, due to the limitations of dating methods, it is difficult for Quaternary cores to deliver accurate age constraints. Thus, it is a challenge to establish the Quaternary stratigraphic framework. Gravity core LZK1 was drilled on Hengsha Island, Shanghai, in the Yangtze delta, in 2012. The core was terminated at 403.83 m below the local land surface, the uppermost 291.2 m comprising a thick sequence of Quaternary sediments. This study investigated the stratigraphic subdivision and paleoenvironmental change of the Quaternary sediments. From bottom to top, the Quaternary stratigraphic sequence can be subdivided into the lower Pleistocene Anting Formation, Middle Pleistocene Jiading Formation, Upper Pleistocene Chuansha Formation and Nanhui Formation, Holocene Loutang Formation, Shanghai Formation, and Rudong Formation. According to this study, the Hengsha Island area was dominated by a freshwater lacustrine environment during the early Pleistocene, an alternation of shallow lake and shore lake environment during the Middle Pleistocene, a delta plain to lagoonal environment during the early Upper Pleistocene, a fluvial channel to floodplain environment from the LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) to the end of the Upper Pleistocene, and a delta environment during the Holocene.     

北京大兴凸起南部PGZ05钻孔剖面第四纪磁性地层学

对北京大兴凸起南部PGZ05孔(孔深255 m)全孔岩心进行了磁性地层、岩石地层、AMS14C测年研究,在系统性的古地磁样品采集(440块岩样)、处理和测试基础上,分析认为255 m的岩心记录了布容正向极性时(Brunhes)、贾拉米洛(Jaramillo)极性亚时、奥尔都维(Olduvai)极性亚时和高斯正极性时(Gauss)。在此磁性年代框架上,结合AMS14C测年及岩性特征,对PGZ05钻孔剖面进行第四纪地层划分,确定下更新统、中更新统、上更新统和全新统的分布深度及年代,将更新统的底界(Q/N)定位于181. 35 m处,亦为一重要岩性(棕红色半固结黏土)界限,中更新统、上更新统、全新统的底界分别定位于75. 60 m、57. 20 m、17. 35 m处。研究成果为大兴凸起南部第四纪地层划分与对比、古地理环境演变及区域地层研究提供了可靠的地层年代学框架,具有重要地质意义。     

Defining the Quaternary

The Quaternary System is under threat of extinction as a chronostratigraphic unit in the international Geological Time Scale. In its place, the Neogene System (previously comprising Miocene and Pliocene Series), is to be extended to include the Pleistocene and Holocene Series. It may be possible to “save” the Quaternary by defining it as a Subsystem of the Neogene. In doing so, it would be an opportune time to extend the base of the Quaternary to 2.6 Ma to encompass the time during which (1) Earth's climate has been strongly influenced by bi-polar glaciation, and (2) the genus Homo first appeared and evolved.     

祁连山东南缘第四纪以来的隆升作用及动力学分析

祁连山东南缘隆升是来自印度板块挤压的远程效应与该区周边地块的存在及其活动的相互制约作用而产生的挤压隆升、伸展隆升和左旋走滑隆升共同作用的结果.标志性构造及主应力分析表明, 自早更新世以来, 隆升动力机制不断发生转换, 在早更新世早期以北东-南西向挤压为主, 中更新世早期至全新世早期以北东-南西向拉张、近东-西向的拉张为主, 全新世晚期以北西-南东向左旋扭动为主.根据湟水河阶地有关数据估算出的不同时段河谷下切速率为: 1.4 1× 103 ~ 36.4ka间平均速率较慢(0.11mm/a), 36.4ka至今较快(1.5 4mm/a), 其中10.5~ 3ka间最快(2.2 7~ 2.80mm/a), 显示该区自1.4 1Ma至今构造隆升具有越来越强烈的变化趋势.      

甘肃酒泉Q_(y1)钻孔磁性地层划分与对比

甘肃第四纪地质研究取得了丰硕成果，但因各家对第四纪地层划分的原则和依据不统一及其他原因，致使第四纪划分的一些基本问题尚无统一意见。为建立河西走廊地层层序，本文依据酒泉Ｑｙ１钻孔磁性地层特征、热释光测试成果、１４Ｃ资料及岩石地层特征进行地层划分。依据区域地质资料和古地磁成果，确定第四纪下限为２．４８Ｍａ，中更新世下限为０．７３Ｍａ，晚更新世下限为０．２０Ｍａ，全新世下限为０．０１２Ｍａ。     

The Quaternary is here to stay

The proposals to drop the name Quaternary, to extend the Neogene Period to the present day, and to confirm the base of the Pleistocene at 1.8 Ma are reviewed. It is concluded that there is no scientific case for dropping the name Quaternary and that an overwhelming volume of evidence points to 2.6 Ma as the most appropriate base for the Quaternary/Pleistocene, when extensive Northern Hemisphere mid‐latitude glaciation occurred under what were essentially similar physical boundary conditions of continents, oceans, seaways and mountain ranges that characterise, and are unique to, the Quaternary. It is desirable that all stratigraphical and geochronological evidence is tied rigorously into the Global Stratigraphic Timescale. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

天山北麓晚新生代沉积及其新构造 与古环境指示意义 *

天山山脉隶属中亚造山带,晚新生代时期印度板块向亚洲板块俯冲的构造效应同样影响到天山地区,使这一晚古生代形成的造山带重新复活。天山南北两侧的晚第三纪和第四纪时期的地层正是对印度板块-亚洲板块碰撞带的响应,发生构造变形,形成了一系列逆冲断层和褶皱,指示这一区域的地壳在晚新生代变短和加厚。文章对天山北缘晚中新世以来的沉积进行了详细的磁性地层学和沉积学研究,结果表明:在研究的独山子背斜地区,磨拉石沉积最早出现于约7百万年前,说明天山山脉自7百万年前开始有一次构造隆升,研究区内7.00~2.58Ma间的巨厚砾石沉积主要是构造抬升的结果。而早更新世的西域砾岩沉积在很大程度上与第四纪时期全球冰期的来临,特别是北半球开始发育大规模冰川作用有关,因此西域砾岩应当是在第四纪冰川作用(气候变冷)及新构造运动共同作用下的产物。     

西沙礁相第四纪地层初步研究

本文根据西沙三个全取芯钻孔的纵向序列,结合部分年代学数据,开展了岩石地层学、生物地层学、碳、氧稳定同位素和地球化学地层学研究,对西沙礁相第四纪地层进行了划分。整个第四系称西沙群,下更新统称永兴组,中更新统称琛航组,上更新统仍沿用石岛组,全新统称为西沙洲组。这一新的系统划分,对海陆第四纪地层间的互相对比提供了一定的依据。     

Development of the steppe zone in southern Russia based on the reconstruction from the loess-soil formation in the Don-Azov Region

Herbaceous communities in forest ecosystems on the southern part of the Russian Plain appeared in the Middle Miocene (??10 Ma BP). In the Late Miocene (??7 Ma BP), feather-grass steppe associations appeared among them. In the time span of 2.7 to 2.1 Ma BP (i.e., in the Early Quaternary, according to the current chronostratigraphic scale), the steppe zone arose on the southern Russian Plain in the Don-Azov Region. Seven stages of this zone development here have been distinguished throughout the Quaternary. The first one (Eopleistocene-Early Pleistocene) was characterized by savanna-like subtropic ecosystems. Then, in the Middle Pleistocene, the temperate zone ecosystems (tallgrass prairie-like steppes) developed here and were followed by steppe ecosystems close to the modern ones in Central Europe. The ecosystems of rich-species forb steppes developed in the Late Pleistocene. Finally, in the optimum of the modern interglacial (Holocene), steppes became similar to the modern ones here, but with a slightly higher precipitation. The general trend is characterized by reduction in heat and water provision and increase in aridization progressing from earlier to later stages.     

华北平原第四系下限的再研究

华北平原各省市第四系下限、内分层时限皆不相同，使相关研究缺乏统一的语言。依照《中国地层指南》的规定，据现有材料对华北平原第四系划分进行了再研究，明确河北平原原定早更新世固安组后于上新统，由于石油系统同样执行《中国地层指南》的原则，则固安组是明化镇组的同义名，应废弃。现有工作显示华北平原N／Q界线没有超过500m。     

天津南部平原区3.6 Ma以来沉积环境演化——以沧县隆起ZKQ1孔为例

沧县隆起是渤海湾盆地的重要构造单元之一,对该区地层长尺度的沉积环境演化分析可为盆地演化、水工环地质勘查以及区域古地理研究等提供基础资料。本文通过对沧县隆起上的ZKQ1孔岩芯详细的沉积特征研究和综合测井、测年（AMS¹⁴C、OSL、古地磁）等研究工作,结果表明：①B/M界线位于62.80 m;M/G界线位于130.60 m;钻孔底界年龄不早于3.6 Ma;上更新统、全新统底界分别位于50.30 m、13.10 m。②沧县隆起3.6 Ma以来的沉积环境演化为晚上新世（<3.6—2.58 Ma）由泛滥平原→湖相三角洲→曲流河演变;早更新世以泛滥平原为主,夹湖沼和分支河道;中更新世存在沉积间断;晚更新世—全新世表现为三期河海交互作用沉积演化时期。     

Formal definition and dating of the GSSP (Global Stratotype Section and Point) for the base of the Holocene using the Greenland NGRIP ice core,and selected auxiliary records

The Greenland ice core from NorthGRIP (NGRIP) contains a proxy climate record across the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary of unprecedented clarity and resolution. Analysis of an array of physical and chemical parameters within the ice enables the base of the Holocene, as reflected in the first signs of climatic warming at the end of the Younger Dryas/Greenland Stadial 1 cold phase, to be located with a high degree of precision. This climatic event is most clearly reflected in an abrupt shift in deuterium excess values, accompanied by more gradual changes in δ¹⁸O, dust concentration, a range of chemical species, and annual layer thickness. A timescale based on multi‐parameter annual layer counting provides an age of 11 700 calendar yr b2 k (before AD 2000) for the base of the Holocene, with a maximum counting error of 99 yr. A proposal that an archived core from this unique sequence should constitute the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Holocene Series/Epoch (Quaternary System/Period) has been ratified by the International Union of Geological Sciences. Five auxiliary stratotypes for the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary have also been recognised. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于磁性地层和沉积地层特征对北京市南口—孙河断裂活动性评估

南口—孙河断裂是北京平原区一条重要的活动断裂,也是渤海—张家口断裂带的组成部分。本文通过开展钻探和样品测试(古地磁和14C测年)分析工作,利用沉积相分析和磁性地层学技术方法建立钻孔沉积地层的磁极性年代序列,并对南口—孙河断裂北段进行第四纪以来活动性进行分析和研究。结果表明:南口—孙河断裂北段第四纪以来的活动性变化特征表现为早更新世早期(2.58～0.99 Ma)活动性由强转弱,在早更新世末期(0.99～0.78 Ma)再次转强;中更新世(0.78～0.126 Ma)活动性转弱;晚更新世至全新世(0.126 Ma至今)活动性再次加强。这一规律与北京西山隆升基本特征吻合,活动性总体表现"强-弱-加强"的特点。