In the geologic timescale , the Rhuddanian is the first age of the Silurian Period and of the Llandovery Epoch. The Silurian is in the Paleozoic Era of the Phanerozoic Eon . The Rhuddanian Age began 443.8 ± 1.5 Ma and ended 440.8 ± 1.2 Ma (million years ago). It succeeds the Hirnantian Age (the last age of the Ordovician Period) and precedes the Aeronian Age.
7-573: The GSSP for the Silurian is located in a section at Dob's Linn , Scotland, in an artificial excavation created just north of the Linn Branch Stream. Two lithological units ( formations ) occur near the boundary. The lower is the Hartfell Shale (48 metres (157 ft) thick), consisting chiefly of pale gray mudstone with subordinate black shales and several interbedded meta-bentonites. Above this
14-739: A golden spike , is an internationally agreed upon reference point on a stratigraphic section which defines the lower boundary of a stage on the geologic time scale . The effort to define GSSPs is conducted by the International Commission on Stratigraphy , a part of the International Union of Geological Sciences . Most, but not all, GSSPs are based on paleontological changes. Hence GSSPs are usually described in terms of transitions between different faunal stages , though far more faunal stages have been described than GSSPs. The GSSP definition effort commenced in 1977. As of 2024, 79 of
21-643: A boundary marker, it has since been identified in strata 4m below the GSSP. However, no other fossil is known that would be preferable. There is no radiometrically datable bed at the boundary at Fortune Head, but there is one slightly above the boundary in similar beds nearby. These factors have led some geologists to suggest that this GSSP is in need of reassigning. Because defining a GSSP depends on finding well-preserved geologic sections and identifying key events, this task becomes more difficult as one goes farther back in time. Before 630 million years ago, boundaries on
28-403: Is set at the first appearance of a complex trace fossil Treptichnus pedum that is found worldwide. The Fortune Head GSSP is unlikely to be washed away or built over. Nonetheless, Treptichnus pedum is less than ideal as a marker fossil as it is not found in every Cambrian sequence, and it is not assured that it is found at the same level in every exposure. In fact, further eroding its value as
35-541: Is the 43 metres (141 ft) thick Birkhill Shale , which consist predominantly of black graptolitic shale with subordinate gray mudstones and meta-bentonites. The name is given after Cefn-Rhuddan Farm, Llandovery in Carmarthenshire , Wales . This geochronology article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point A Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point ( GSSP ), sometimes referred to as
42-562: The 101 stages that need a GSSP have a ratified GSSP. A geologic section has to fulfill a set of criteria to be adapted as a GSSP by the ICS . The following list summarizes the criteria: Once a GSSP boundary has been agreed upon, a 'golden spike' is driven into the geologic section to mark the precise boundary for future geologists (though in practice the 'spike' need neither be golden nor an actual spike). As such, GSSPs are also sometimes referred to as golden spikes . The first stratigraphic boundary
49-587: Was defined in 1972 by identifying the Silurian - Devonian boundary with a bronze plaque at a locality called Klonk , northeast of the village of Suchomasty in the Czech Republic . The Precambrian - Cambrian boundary GSSP at Fortune Head , Newfoundland is a typical GSSP. It is accessible by paved road and is set aside as a nature preserve . A continuous section is available from beds that are clearly Precambrian into beds that are clearly Cambrian. The boundary
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