[Aqualist] Definition of the Quaternary

[Tim Barrows]

From: Brad Pillans <brad.pillans at anu.edu.au>

Dear friends,

Today, I received word that the International Commission on 
Stratigraphy (ICS) has voted by 89% majority vote to define the base 
of the Quaternary System (= base of the Pleistocene Series = top of 
Neogene System) at ~2.6 Ma, with the boundary defined at the type 
section of the Gelasian Stage. In doing so, the Gelasian Stage is 
transferred from the Pliocene Series to the Pleistocene Series.

The ICS decision will now be forwarded to IUGS for formal ratification.

Thus, it seems that the long-running battle to define the Quaternary 
as a formal system of the International Geological Time Scale has been won.

Although the result has not yet been posted on the ICS website 
(http://www.stratigraphy.org/), I daresay it will appear shortly and 
may even be there by the time you act on this message.

Brad Pillans
President, INQUA Stratigraphy & Chronology Commission