The Quaternary is here to stay |
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| Authors: | D Q Bowen Philip L Gibbard |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK;2. David Q. Bowen is a past President of the INQUA Stratigraphy Commission and past Chairman of the International Union of Geological Sciences Quaternary Subcommission.;3. Cambridge Quaternary, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK;4. Philip L. Gibbard is the current President of the International Commission on Stratigraphy Quaternary Subcommission of the International Union of Geological Sciences. |
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| Abstract: | 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. |
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| Keywords: | Quaternary Pleistocene classification Global Stratigraphic Timescale |
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