A Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) is an internationally agreed upon reference point on a stratigraphic section which defines the lower boundary of a stage on the

geologic time scale The geologic time scale, or geological time scale, (GTS) is a representation of time based on the rock record of Earth. It is a system of chronological dating that uses chronostratigraphy (the process of relating strata to time) and geoch ...

. The effort to define GSSPs is conducted by the

International Commission on Stratigraphy The International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS), sometimes referred to unofficially as the "International Stratigraphic Commission", is a daughter or major subcommittee grade scientific daughter organization that concerns itself with stratigr ...

, a part of the International Union of Geological Sciences. Most, but not all, GSSPs are based on paleontological changes. Hence GSSPs are usually described in terms of transitions between different faunal stages, though far more faunal stages have been described than GSSPs. The GSSP definition effort commenced in 1977. As of 2022, 77 of the 101 stages that need a GSSP have a ratified GSSP.

Rules

A geologic section has to fulfill a set of criteria to be adapted as a GSSP by the

ICS ICS may refer to: Computing * Image Cytometry Standard, a digital multidimensional image file format used in life sciences microscopy * Industrial control system, computer systems and networks used to control industrial plants and infrastructu ...

. The following list summarizes the criteria: * A GSSP has to define the lower boundary of a geologic stage. * The lower boundary has to be defined using a primary marker (usually

first appearance datum First appearance datum (FAD) is a term used by geologists and paleontologists to designate the first appearance of a species in the geologic record. FADs are determined by identifying the geologically oldest fossil discovered, to date, of a part ...

of a fossil species). ** There should also be secondary markers (other fossils, chemical, geomagnetic reversal). ** The horizon in which the marker appears should have minerals that can be radiometrically dated. ** The marker has to have regional and global correlation in outcrops of the same age ** The marker should be independent of facies. * The outcrop has to have an adequate thickness * Sedimentation has to be continuous without any changes in facies * The outcrop should be unaffected by tectonic and sedimentary movements, and metamorphism * The outcrop has to be accessible to research and free to access. ** This includes that the outcrop has to be located where it can be visited quickly (International airport and good roads), has to be kept in good condition (Ideally a national reserve), in accessible terrain, extensive enough to allow repeated sampling and open to researchers of all nationalities.

Agreed-upon Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Points

Once a GSSP boundary has been agreed upon, a "golden spike" is driven into the geologic section to mark the precise boundary for future geologists (though in practice the "spike" need neither be golden nor an actual spike). The first stratigraphic boundary was defined in 1972 by identifying the Silurian- Devonian boundary with a bronze plaque at a locality called Klonk, northeast of the village of Suchomasty in the

Czech Republic The Czech Republic, or simply Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast. Th ...

. GSSPs are also sometimes referred to as Golden Spikes.

Fortune Head GSSP

The Precambrian-

Cambrian The Cambrian Period ( ; sometimes symbolized Ꞓ) was the first geological period of the Paleozoic Era, and of the Phanerozoic Eon. The Cambrian lasted 53.4 million years from the end of the preceding Ediacaran Period 538.8 million years ag ...

boundary GSSP at Fortune Head, Newfoundland is a typical GSSP. It is accessible by paved road and is set aside as a nature preserve. A continuous section is available from beds that are clearly Precambrian into beds that are clearly Cambrian. The boundary is set at the first appearance of a complex trace fossil '' Treptichnus pedum'' that is found worldwide. The Fortune Head GSSP is unlikely to be washed away or built over. Nonetheless, ''Treptichnus pedum'' is less than ideal as a marker fossil as it is not found in every Cambrian sequence, and it is not assured that it is found at the same level in every exposure. In fact, further eroding its value as a boundary marker, it has since been identified in strata 4m ''below'' the GSSP. However, no other fossil is known that would be preferable. There is no radiometrically datable bed at the boundary at Fortune Head, but there is one slightly above the boundary in similar beds nearby. These factors have led some geologists to suggest that this GSSP is in need of reassigning.

Global Standard Stratigraphic Ages

Because defining a GSSP depends on finding well-preserved geologic sections and identifying key events, this task becomes more difficult as one goes farther back in time. Before 630 million years ago, boundaries on the geologic timescale are defined simply by reference to fixed dates, known as "Global Standard Stratigraphic Ages".

Notes

References

* Hedberg, H.D., (editor), ''International stratigraphic guide: A guide to stratigraphic classification, terminology, and procedure'', New York, John Wiley and Sons, 1976
International Stratigraphic Chart
from the

GSSP table with pages on each ratified GSSP
from the ICS Subcommission for Stratigraphic Information

External links

overview

chart
Table of Global Boundary Stratotype Sections and Points (GSSPs) with links to summary pages for each one
chart
GSSPs and Continental drift 3D views

– Deals with chronology and classifications for laymen (not GSSPs) {{DEFAULTSORT:Global Boundary Stratotype Section And Point Earth sciences Geochronologically significant locations Geologic time scales of Earth Historical geology Paleogeography Paleobiology Units of time Stratigraphy