Chronology in stratigraphy
https://doi.org/10.24930/1681-9004-2025-25-6-1249-1263
EDN: QVZUPI
Abstract
Research subject. Issues related to the chronological representation of time in stratigraphy are discussed, including the features of biochronological calculation of geological time, the nature of zonal biochronological scales, the dual nature of stratigraphic classifications, the biological basis of chronostratigraphic divisions, as well as the concepts of “chronological
scale” and “chronological classification”.
Material and methods. Conventional approaches to the above issues are analyzed. An attempt is made to reveal the logical sources of disagreement on the issues under discussion and to outline possible compromise solutions.
Results. In order to successfully resolve the abovementioned issues, it is necessary to distinguish the biochronological scale as an instrument for measuring geological time and the geological section – as an object of measurement. Being cycles of paleontological development, peer subdivisions of biochronological scales should be equivalent, but not stratigraphic subdivisions of the same order.
Conclusions. The true chronological scales in stratigraphy are zonal biochronological scales, the construction of which uses the evolutionary sequence of similar events (“existence of species”), which allows us to obtain a scale of order consisting of equivalent (commensurate, equivalent, congruent) divisions – zones. The International Stratigraphic Scale (a summary section of the stratisphere) is, in its essence, a calendar of geological events and dates. The names of the subdivisions of the International Stratigraphic Scale serve as an international chronological language.
Keywords
chronology,
chronometry,
chronological scales,
zonal biochronological scales,
stratigraphic classification,
chronological classification
Supporting agencies: The work was conducted within framework of state assignment of IGG UB RAS (No. 123011800010-5)
About the Author
V. V. Chernykh
A.N. Zavaritsky Institute of Geology and Geochemistry, UB RAS
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Valerii V. Chernykh
620110; 15 Academician Vonsovsky st.; Еkaterinburg
References
1. Chernykh V.V. (2005) Zonal method in biostratigraphy. Zonal scale of the Lower Permian by conodonts. Ekaterinburg, IGG UrO RAN, 217 p. (In Russ.)
2. Chernykh V.V. (2008) Definition of stage boundaries of the International Stratigraphic Scale by conodonts. Lithosphere (Russia), (1), 3-17. (In Russ.)
3. Chernykh V.V. (2010) Divergence and the directed change of the Pa element in conodonts of the Streptognathodus group. Lithosphere (Russia), (4), 69-180. (In Russ.)
4. Chernykh V.V. (2012) The correlation of the Gzhelian and Lower Permian deposits of the Urals. Lithosphere (Russia), (4), 30-52. (In Russ.)
5. Chernykh V.V. (2014) Zone chronological scales and the stratigraphic boundaries. Lithosphere (Russia), (3), 3-10. (In Russ.)
6. Chernykh V.V. (2016) The basics of zonal biochronology. Ekaterinburg, IGG UrO RAN, 268 p. (In Russ.)
7. Chernykh V.V. (2020) Stratigraphic scale and geological section. Lithosphere (Russia), (1), 5-17. (In Russ.)
8. Chernykh V.V. (2023) Zonal biochronological method for solving long-living problems of general stratigraphy. Lithosphere (Russia), (6), 935-949. (In Russ.)
9. Chernykh V.V. (2024) On the external reference status of zonal biochronological scales. Lithosphere (Russia), (4), 722-734. (In Russ.)
10. Egoyan V.L. (2012) Fundamentals of general stratigraphy. Krasnodar, Enlightenment-South Publ., 159 p. (In Russ.)
11. Goman’kov A.V. (2007) Geological time and its measurement. Мoscow, KMK Publ., 58 p. (In Russ.)
12. Gurari F.G., Khalfin L.L. (1966) Reform of stratigraphic classification rules is necessary. Geol. Geofiz., (4), 3-15. (In Russ.)
13. Karpinsky A.P. (1945) About Ammonians of the Artinskian Stage and about some Carboniferous forms similar to them. Collected works. V. I. Moscow; Leningrad, AN SSSR, 479-496. (In Russ.)
14. Khalfin L.L. (1960) On tectonostratigraphic direction in geology and principles of stratigraphy. The main ideas of MA Usova in geology. Collection of Articles. (Ed. by V.K. Monich). Alma-Ata, AN KazSSR, 381-394. (In Russ.)
15. Khalfin L.L. (1970) A.P. Karpinskyʼs and the boundaries of units of the International Stratigraphic Scale (ISS). Tr. SNIIGIMS i MS. Regional Geology, vyp. 110, 4-10. (In Russ.)
16. Khalfin L.L. (1980) Theoretical question of stratigraphy. Novosibirsk, Nauka Publ., 200 p. (In Russ.)
17. Leonov G.P. (1973) Bases of the stratigraphy. V. 1. Мoscow, MGU, 530 p. (In Russ.)
18. Leonov G.P. (1974) Bases of the stratigraphy. V. 2. Мoscow, MGU, 486 p. (In Russ.)
19. Mesezhnikov M.S. (1966) Zones of regional stratigraphic scales. Sov. Geol., (7), 3-16. (In Russ.)
20. Mesezhnikov M.S., Stepanov D.L. (1979) General stratigraphy. Principles and methods of stratigraphic research. Leningrad, Nedra, 423 p. (In Russ.)
21. Meyen S.V. (1974) Introduction to the theory of stratigraphy. Мoscow, VINITI, 186 p.
22. Meyen S.V. (1977) Taxonomy and meronomy. Issues of methodology in geological sciences. (Ed. by A.S. Povarennykh, V.I. Onoprienko). Kyiv, Nauk. Dumka Publ., 25-33. (In Russ.)
23. Meyen S.V. (1981) From the general to the theoretical stratigraphy. Sov. Geol., (9), 58-69. (In Russ.)
24. Meyen S.V. (1989) Introduction into the theory of the stratigraphy. Мoscow, Nauka Publ., 216 p. (In Russ.)
25. Naidin D.P. (1994) So, What Is Stratigraphy? Stratigr. Geol. Korrel., 2(2), 3-11. (In Russ.)
26. Nikitin S.N., Chernyshev F.N. (1889) International Geological Congress and its recent sessions in Berlin and London. Gorn. Zhurn., 1(1), 115-150. (In Russ.)
27. Pavlov A.P. (1884) Lower Volga Jurassic: Classification of sediments and lists of fossils. Мoscow, Tip. A.A. Kartseva, 25 p. (In Russ.)
28. Popov A.V. (1993) Principles of stratigraphy. St.Petersburg, St.Petersb. un-t, 67 p. (In Russ.)
29. Popov A.V. (2003) Measuring Geological Time: Principles of Stratigraphy and Patterns of Evolution. St. Petersburg, St. Petersb. un-t, 144 p. (In Russ.)
30. Problems of Stratigraphy. (1969) Collection of Articles (Ed. by L.L. Khalfin). Novosibirsk, SNIIGG I MS, 193 p. (In Russ.)
31. Regler for norsk stratigrafisk nomenklatur. (1961) Norges Geol. Undersuk, (213), 224-228.
32. Sharapov I.P. (1977) Logical analysis of some problems of geology. Moscow, Nedra Publ., 143 p. (In Russ.)
33. Shindewolf O. (1975) Stratigraphy and stratotype. Moscow, Mir Publ., 136 p. (In Russ.)
34. Simakov K.V. (1982) Principles of measuring time and constructing a stratigraphic (geochronological) scale. Development of the doctrine of time in geology. (Ed. by A.S. Povarennykh, V.I. Onoprienko). Kyiv, Nauk. Dumka Publ., 177-198. (In Russ.)
35. Sokolov B.S. (1971) Biochronology and stratigraphic boundaries. Problems of general and regional geology. Collection of articles (Ed. by K.V. Bogolepov). Novosibirsk, Nauka Publ., 155-178. (In Russ.)
36. Strakhov N.M. (1948) Fundamentals of Historical Geology. V. 1. Moscow; Leningrad, Nedra Publ., 253 p. (In Russ.)
37. Stratigraphic Code of Russia. (2019) 3<sup>rd</sup> ed., revised and enlarged. St. Petersburg, VSEGEI, 93 p. (In Russ.)
38. Zhamoida A.I. (2011) Sketch of the structure and content of theoretical stratigraphy. St. Petersburg, VSEGEI, 196 p. (In Russ.)
Review
For citations:
Chernykh V.V. Chronology in stratigraphy. LITHOSPHERE (Russia). 2025;25(6):1249-1263. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24930/1681-9004-2025-25-6-1249-1263. EDN: QVZUPI
Views:
62
Email this article 