Defining the Quaternary

Brad Pillans, Tim Naish

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    74 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The Quaternary System is under threat of extinction as a chronostratigraphic unit in the international Geological Time Scale. In its place, the Neogene System (previously comprising Miocene and Pliocene Series), is to be extended to include the Pleistocene and Holocene Series. It may be possible to "save" the Quaternary by defining it as a Subsystem of the Neogene. In doing so, it would be an opportune time to extend the base of the Quaternary to 2.6 Ma to encompass the time during which (1) Earth's climate has been strongly influenced by bi-polar glaciation, and (2) the genus Homo first appeared and evolved.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)2271-2282
    Number of pages12
    JournalQuaternary Science Reviews
    Volume23
    Issue number23-24
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2004

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