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A template for an improved rock-based subdivision of the pre-Cryogenian timescale

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Date
01/01/2022
Author
Shields, GA
Strachan, RA
Porter, SM
Halverson, GP
Macdonald, FA
Plumb, KA
de Alvarenga, CJ
Banerjee, DM
Bekker, A
Bleeker, W
Brasier, A
Chakraborty, PP
Collins, AS
Condie, K
Das, K
Evans, DAD
Ernst, R
Fallick, AE
Frimmel, H
Fuck, R
Hoffman, PF
Kamber, BS
Kuznetsov, AB
Mitchell, RN
Poire, DG
Poulton, SW
Riding, R
Sharma, M
Storey, C
Stueeken, Eva
Tostevin, R
Turner, E
Xiao, SH
Zhang, SH
Zhou, Y
Zhu, MY
Keywords
QE Geology
T-DAS
MCC
Metadata
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Abstract
The geological timescale before 720 Ma uses rounded absolute ages rather than specific events recorded in rocks to subdivide time. This has led increasingly to mismatches between subdivisions and the features for which they were named. Here we review the formal processes that led to the current timescale, outline rock-based concepts that could be used to subdivide pre-Cryogenian time and propose revisions. An appraisal of the Precambrian rock record confirms that purely chronostratigraphic subdivision would require only modest deviation from current chronometric boundaries, removal of which could be expedited by establishing event-based concepts and provisional, approximate ages for eon-, era- and period-level subdivisions. Our review leads to the following conclusions: (1) the current informal four-fold Archean subdivision should be simplified to a tripartite scheme, pending more detailed analysis, and (2) an improved rock-based Proterozoic Eon might comprise a Paleoproterozoic Era with three periods (early Paleoproterozoic or Skourian, Rhyacian, Orosirian), Mesoproterozoic Era with four periods (Statherian, Calymmian, Ectasian, Stenian) and a Neoproterozoic Era with four periods (pre-Tonian or Kleisian, Tonian, Cryogenian and Ediacaran). These proposals stem from a wide community and could be used to guide future development of the pre-Cryogenian timescale by international bodies.
Citation
Shields , GA , Strachan , RA , Porter , SM , Halverson , GP , Macdonald , FA , Plumb , KA , de Alvarenga , CJ , Banerjee , DM , Bekker , A , Bleeker , W , Brasier , A , Chakraborty , PP , Collins , AS , Condie , K , Das , K , Evans , DAD , Ernst , R , Fallick , AE , Frimmel , H , Fuck , R , Hoffman , PF , Kamber , BS , Kuznetsov , AB , Mitchell , RN , Poire , DG , Poulton , SW , Riding , R , Sharma , M , Storey , C , Stueeken , E , Tostevin , R , Turner , E , Xiao , SH , Zhang , SH , Zhou , Y & Zhu , MY 2022 , ' A template for an improved rock-based subdivision of the pre-Cryogenian timescale ' , Journal of the Geological Society , vol. 179 , no. 1 . https://doi.org/10.1144/jgs2020-222
Publication
Journal of the Geological Society
Status
Peer reviewed
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1144/jgs2020-222
ISSN
0016-7649
Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by The Geological Society of London. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Collections
  • University of St Andrews Research
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/23735

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