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Russian Geology and Geophysics

2015 year, number 4

PARADOXES OF STRATIGRAPHY

V.V. Chernykh
A.N. Zavaritskii Institute of Geology and Geochemistry, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pochtovyi per. 7, Yekaterinburg, 620075, Russia
Keywords: Orthostratigraphic group, chronostratigraphy, chronology, chronometry, chronological scale, zonal subdivision, GSSP concept, stratigraphic boundaries

Abstract

Some contradictory positions and concepts of the theory and practice of stratigraphy regarded as “paradoxes” are discussed. Attention is paid to the fundamental impossibility to associate the wide geographic distribution of a group of organisms with a high rate of speciation of these organisms. However, it is this feature that is commonly used as the basis for determining orthostratigraphic groups of fossil organisms. The dualism of time in stratigraphy, which led to the emergence of chronostratigraphy and the GSSP concept, is considered. The incompatibility of chronological and chronometric datings in stratigraphy is proved. Finally, the paradox of the smallest chronological unit is examined, which is related to the existence of not one but several smallest units (zones) in zonal chronology.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rgg.2015.03.005