GSSP

Many GSSPs are marked by golden spikes. This 'golden spike' marks the GSSP for the start of the Ediacaran.

A GSSP, more fully a Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point, is an internationally agreed point which defines the start of a stage on the geologic time scale.

The work is done by the International Commission on Stratigraphy, a part of the International Union of Geological Sciences. As of 2012, 64 of the 101 stages that need a GSSP have been decided.^[1]

Rules for GSSP[change]

A geologic section has to follow the rules to be adapted as a GSSP by the ICS. The list below are the rules:^[2]^[3]

A GSSP has to decide the lower boundary (start of a geological period) of a geologic stage.
The lower boundary (start of a geological period) has to be decided using a primary (main) marker (usually first appearance datum of a fossil specie).
- 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 acceptable thickness
Sedimentation has to be constant without any changes in facies
The outcrop should not be affected 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.

List[change]

This list shows some of the GSSPs.

Period	Epoch	Age (mya)	Status	GSSP location	Defining markers	Geographic Coordinates	References
Phanerozoic
Cainozoic
Quaternary
	Holocene	0.117	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	NGRIP2 ice core, Greenland	End of the Younger Dryas stadial (cold stage)	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[4]
	Pleistocene	2.588	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Monte San Nicola Section, Sicily, Italy	Base of magnetic polarity chronozone C2r (Matuyama). Extinction of Discoaster pentaradiatus and Discoaster surculus (Calcareous nannofossil).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[5]
Neogene
	Pliocene	5.333	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Heraclea Minoa section Heraclea Minoa, Sicily, Italy	Top of magnetic polarity chronozone C3r. First appearance of Ceratolithus acutus and near extinction of Triquetrorhabdulus rugosus (Calcareous nannofossil).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[6]
	Miocene	23.03	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Lemme-Carrosio Section, Carrosio, Italy	Base of magnetic polarity chronozone C6Cn.2n. Near first appearance of Paragloborotalia kugleri (Planktonic foraminifera).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[7]
Palaeogene
	Oligocene	33.9	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Massignano Section, Massignano, Ancona, Italy	Extinction of Hantkenina and Cribrohantkenina (Planktonic foraminifera).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[8]
	Eocene	56	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Dababiya section, Luxor, Egypt	Base of negative Carbon Isotope Excursion (CIE).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[9]^[10]
	Palaeocene	66	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	El Kef Section, El Kef, Tunisia	Iridium enriched layer associated with a major meteorite impact and subsequent extinction event.	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[11]
Mesozoic
Cretaceous
	Upper Cretaceous	100.5	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Mont Risoux, Hautes-Alpes, France	First appearance of Rotalipora globotruncanoides (Planktonic foraminifera)	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[12]
	Lower Cretaceous	145			Candidates: Magnetic—base of Chron M18r Base of Calpionellid zone B
Jurassic
	Upper Jurassic	163.5		Candidate sections: Redcliff Point, Dorset, England Savouron, Provence, France	Horizon of Cardioceras redcliffense (Ammonite).
	Middle Jurassic	174.1	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Fuentelsaz, Spain	First appearance of Leioceras opalinum and Leioceras lineatum Biologic: First appearance of genus Leioceras (Ammonite).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[13]
	Lower Jurassic	201.3	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Kuhjoch section, Karwendel mountains, Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria	Near first appearance of smooth Psiloceras spela group (Ammonite).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.
Triassic
	Upper Triassic	235	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Prati di Stuores, Dolomites, Italy	First appearance of Daxatina canadensis (Ammonite). Near first appearance of Metapolygnathus polygnathiformis (Conodont). Above magnetic zone S2n.	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[14]
	Middle Triassic	247.2		Candidate sections: Desli Caira, Dobrogea, Romania Guandao, Guizhou, China	First appearance of Chiosella timorensis (Conodont). Magnetic: Base of magnetic zone MT1n.	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.
	Lower Triassic	252.2	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Meishan, Zhejiang, China	First appearance of Hindeodus parvus (Conodont).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.
Palaeozoic
Permian		298.9	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Aidaralash, Ural Mountains, Kazakhstan	First appearance of Streptognathodus isolatus within the morphotype Streptognathodus wabaunsensis chronocline (Conodont).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[15]
Carboniferous
	Pennsylvanian	323.2	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Arrow Canyon, Nevada, USA	First appearance of Declinognathodus nodiliferus (Conodont).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[16]
	Mississippian	358.9	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	La Serre, Montagne Noire, France	First appearance of Siphonodella sulcata (Conodont). In 2006 it was discovered that this GSSP has biostratigraphic problems.	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[17]
Devonian		419.2	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Klonk, Prague, Czech Republic	First appearance of Monograptus uniformis (graptolite).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[18]
Silurian		443.4	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Dob's Linn, Moffat, U.K.	First appearance of Akidograptus ascensus and Parakidograptus acuminatus (Graptolite). 1.6 m above the base of the Birkhill Shale Formation.	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[19]
Ordovician		485.4	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Greenpoint section Green Point, Newfoundland, Canada	First appearance of Iapetognathus fluctivagus (Conodont). Planktonic graptolites occur 4.8 m above boundary. Coincides with a peak in carbon isotopes.	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[20]
Cambrian		541	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Fortune head section, Newfoundland, Canada	First appearance of Treptichnus pedum (trace fossil).	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[21]
Era	Period	Precambrian
Proterozoic
Neoproterozoic
	Ediacaran	635	File:GSSP Golden Spike.svg	Enorama Creek section Flinders Ranges, South Australia	Worldwide distinct cap carbonates. Beginning of a distinctive pattern of secular changes in carbon isotopes.	Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.	^[22]
	Cryogenian	850	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg	Defined chronometrically now. GSSP is in progress.			^[23]
	Tonian	1000	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg	Defined chronometrically			^[23]
Mesoproterozoic
	Stenian	1200	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg	Defined chronometrically			^[23]
	Ectasian	1400	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg	Defined chronometrically			^[23]
	Calymmian	1600	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg	Defined chronometrically			^[23]
Palaeoproterozoic
	Statherian	1800	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg	Defined chronometrically			^[23]
	Orosirian	2050	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg	Defined chronometrically			^[23]
	Rhyacian	2300	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg	Defined chronometrically			^[23]
	Siderian	2500	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg	Defined chronometrically			^[23]
Archaean & Hadean
Neoarchaean		2800	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg				^[23]
Mesoarchaean		3200	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg				^[23]
Palaeoarchaean		3600	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg				^[23]
Eoarchaean		4000	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg				^[23]
Hadean		4567	File:GSSA Golden Clock.svg				^[23]

Global Standard Stratigraphic Age (GSSAs)[change]

Because defining a GSSP depends on finding well-preserved geologic sections and identifying key events, this task becomes more harder as one goes farther back in time. Before 640 million years ago, boundaries on the geologic timescale are defined simply by reference to fixed dates, known as "Global Standard Stratigraphic Ages". The oldest GSSP is the one that marks the start of the Ediacaran at 635 million years ago.

References[change]

↑ "International Chronostratigraphic Chart 2012" (PDF). ICS. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
↑ Remane J. et al 1996. "Guidelines for the establishment of global chronostratigraphic standards by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS)". Episodes. 19: 77–81. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1996/v19i3/007.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ "GSSP Rules". Geologic Timescale Foundation.
↑ Walker, Mike et al 2009 (2009). "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". Journal of Quaternary Science. 24 (1): 3–17. Bibcode:2009JQS....24....3W. doi:10.1002/jqs.1227. S2CID 40380068.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Rio, Domenico et al 1998 (1998). "The Gelasian Stage (Upper Pliocene): a new unit of the global standard chronostratigraphic scale". Episodes. 21 (2): 82–87. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1998/v21i2/002.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Couvering John A. Van et al 2000 (2000). "The base of the Zanclean Stage and of the Pliocene Series". Episodes. 23 (3): 179–187. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2000/v23i3/005. S2CID 10836910.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Steininger, Fritz F. et al 1997 (1997). "The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Neogene". Episodes. 20 (1): 23–28. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1997/v20i1/005.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Silva, Isabella Premoli; Jenkins, D Graham (1993). "Decision on the Eocene-Oligocene boundary stratotype". Episodes. 16 (3): 379–382. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1993/v16i3/002.
↑ Dupuis C. et al 2003 (2003). "The Dababiya Quarry section: lithostratigraphy, clay mineralogy, geochemistry and paleontology". Micropaleontology. 49 (1): 41–59. doi:10.2113/49.Suppl_1.41. hdl:1912/5251.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Aubry, Marie-Pierre et al 2007 (2007). "The Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Eocene Series in the Dababiya section (Egypt)". Episodes. 30 (4): 271–286. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2007/v30i4/003.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Molina, Eustoquio 2006; et al. "The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point for the base of the Danian Stage (Paleocene, Paleogene, "Tertiary", Cenozoic) at El Kef, Tunisia - Original definition and revision". Episodes. 29 (4): 263–278. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2006/v29i4/004.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Kennedy, W.J.; Gale, A.S.; Lees, J.A.; Caron, M. (2004). "The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Cenomanian Stage, Mont Risou, Hautes-Alpes, France". Episodes. 27 (1): 21–32. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2004/v27i1/003.
↑ Cresta S. et al 2001 (2001). "The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Toarcian-Aalenian Boundary (Lower-Middle Jurassic)". Episodes. 24 (3): 166–175. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2001/v24i3/003.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Mietto P. et al 2012 (2012). "The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Carnian stage (Late Triassic) at Prati di Stuores/Stuores Wiesen section (Southern Alps, NE Italy)". Episodes. 35 (3): 414–430. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2012/v35i3/003.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Davydov, Vladimir I. et al 1998 (1998). "Proposal of Aidaralash as Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for base of the Permian System". Episodes. 21 (1): 11–18. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1998/v21i1/003.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Lane, H. Richard et al 1999. (1999). "The IUGS boundary in the middle of the Carboniferous: Arrow Canyon, Nevada, USA". Episodes. 22 (4): 272–283. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1999/v22i4/003.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Paproth, Eva et al 1991 (1991). "Decision on the Devonian - Carboniferous boundary stratotype". Episodes. 14 (4): 331–336. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1991/v14i4/004.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ "Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point". International Commission of Stratigraphy. Retrieved 14 September 2012.}
↑ Holland C.H. 1985 (1985). "Series and Stages of the Silurian System". Episodes. 8 (2): 101–103. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1985/v8i2/005.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Cooper R.A. et al 2001 (2001). "Global Stratotype Section and Point for base of the Ordovician System". Episodes. 24 (1): 19–28. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2001/v24i1/005.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ Brasier, Martin; Cowie, John; Taylor, Michael (1994). "Decision on the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary stratotype". Episodes. 17 (1–2): 3–8. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1994/v17i1.2/002.
↑ Knoll, Andrew et al 2006 (2006). "The Ediacaran Period: a new addition to the geologic time scale". Lethaia. 39 (1): 13–30. doi:10.1080/00241160500409223.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑ ^23.00 ^23.01 ^23.02 ^23.03 ^23.04 ^23.05 ^23.06 ^23.07 ^23.08 ^23.09 ^23.10 ^23.11 ^23.12 ^23.13 Plumb, K. A. (1991). "New Precambrian timescale". Episodes. 14 (2): 139–140. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1991/v14i2/005.

[International_Chronostratigraphic_Chart_2012-1] "International Chronostratigraphic Chart 2012" (PDF). ICS. Retrieved 28 November 2012.

[Remane_1996-2] Remane J. et al 1996. "Guidelines for the establishment of global chronostratigraphic standards by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS)". Episodes. 19: 77–81. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1996/v19i3/007.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[GSSP_Rules-3] "GSSP Rules". Geologic Timescale Foundation.

[Walker_2009-4] Walker, Mike et al 2009 (2009). "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". Journal of Quaternary Science. 24 (1): 3–17. Bibcode:2009JQS....24....3W. doi:10.1002/jqs.1227. S2CID 40380068.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Rio_1998-5] Rio, Domenico et al 1998 (1998). "The Gelasian Stage (Upper Pliocene): a new unit of the global standard chronostratigraphic scale". Episodes. 21 (2): 82–87. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1998/v21i2/002.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Couvering_2000-6] Couvering John A. Van et al 2000 (2000). "The base of the Zanclean Stage and of the Pliocene Series". Episodes. 23 (3): 179–187. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2000/v23i3/005. S2CID 10836910.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Steininger_1997-7] Steininger, Fritz F. et al 1997 (1997). "The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Neogene". Episodes. 20 (1): 23–28. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1997/v20i1/005.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Silva_1993-8] Silva, Isabella Premoli; Jenkins, D Graham (1993). "Decision on the Eocene-Oligocene boundary stratotype". Episodes. 16 (3): 379–382. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1993/v16i3/002.

[Dupuis_2003-9] Dupuis C. et al 2003 (2003). "The Dababiya Quarry section: lithostratigraphy, clay mineralogy, geochemistry and paleontology". Micropaleontology. 49 (1): 41–59. doi:10.2113/49.Suppl_1.41. hdl:1912/5251.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Aubry_2007-10] Aubry, Marie-Pierre et al 2007 (2007). "The Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Eocene Series in the Dababiya section (Egypt)". Episodes. 30 (4): 271–286. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2007/v30i4/003.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Molina_2006-11] Molina, Eustoquio 2006; et al. "The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point for the base of the Danian Stage (Paleocene, Paleogene, "Tertiary", Cenozoic) at El Kef, Tunisia - Original definition and revision". Episodes. 29 (4): 263–278. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2006/v29i4/004.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Kennedy_2004-12] Kennedy, W.J.; Gale, A.S.; Lees, J.A.; Caron, M. (2004). "The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Cenomanian Stage, Mont Risou, Hautes-Alpes, France". Episodes. 27 (1): 21–32. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2004/v27i1/003.

[Cresta_2001-13] Cresta S. et al 2001 (2001). "The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Toarcian-Aalenian Boundary (Lower-Middle Jurassic)". Episodes. 24 (3): 166–175. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2001/v24i3/003.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Mietto_2007-14] Mietto P. et al 2012 (2012). "The Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Carnian stage (Late Triassic) at Prati di Stuores/Stuores Wiesen section (Southern Alps, NE Italy)". Episodes. 35 (3): 414–430. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2012/v35i3/003.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Davydov_1998-15] Davydov, Vladimir I. et al 1998 (1998). "Proposal of Aidaralash as Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for base of the Permian System". Episodes. 21 (1): 11–18. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1998/v21i1/003.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Lane_1999-16] Lane, H. Richard et al 1999. (1999). "The IUGS boundary in the middle of the Carboniferous: Arrow Canyon, Nevada, USA". Episodes. 22 (4): 272–283. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1999/v22i4/003.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Paproth_1991-17] Paproth, Eva et al 1991 (1991). "Decision on the Devonian - Carboniferous boundary stratotype". Episodes. 14 (4): 331–336. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1991/v14i4/004.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[GSSP_Web-18] "Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point". International Commission of Stratigraphy. Retrieved 14 September 2012.}

[Holland_1985-19] Holland C.H. 1985 (1985). "Series and Stages of the Silurian System". Episodes. 8 (2): 101–103. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1985/v8i2/005.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Cooper_2001-20] Cooper R.A. et al 2001 (2001). "Global Stratotype Section and Point for base of the Ordovician System". Episodes. 24 (1): 19–28. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2001/v24i1/005.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Brasier_1994-21] Brasier, Martin; Cowie, John; Taylor, Michael (1994). "Decision on the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary stratotype". Episodes. 17 (1–2): 3–8. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1994/v17i1.2/002.

[Knoll_2006-22] Knoll, Andrew et al 2006 (2006). "The Ediacaran Period: a new addition to the geologic time scale". Lethaia. 39 (1): 13–30. doi:10.1080/00241160500409223.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[Plumb_1991-23] 23.00 ^23.01 ^23.02 ^23.03 ^23.04 ^23.05 ^23.06 ^23.07 ^23.08 ^23.09 ^23.10 ^23.11 ^23.12 ^23.13 Plumb, K. A. (1991). "New Precambrian timescale". Episodes. 14 (2): 139–140. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1991/v14i2/005.

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