Towards rationalism in Precambrian stratigraphy
A. F. Trendall
Abstract There is no generally accepted time or time‐rock Precambrian stratigraphy, as there for the Phanerozoic. Many authors suggest that a nomenclature based on similar principles should be used. But explicit general erection of major stratigraphic divisions exist, have even been used, while confusion caused by evolutionary and unsystematic growth Phanerozoic systems admitted. Consequently, geologists dealing with may feel free to choose whatever methods subdivision seem most effective, unprejudiced precedent. The familiar ones used historians more useful rocks time, if megacenturies (of 108 years, 106 centuries) are instead centuries, than those in stratigraphy. conclusions that: (1) rock units, plus isotopic age determinations inter‐relate sequences events within numerical time‐scale together adequate handling problems, conversely (2) traditional stratigraphy superfluous, represent main thesis this paper. Although unit system rank local restriction would overcome deficiency; Adelaide System an example. Three common fallacies are: primary standard reference geological maps cannot published without (3) same type must both Precambrian. International cooperation adoption dating advisable promote accurate correlations
Journal of the Geological Society of Australia