A Jurassic to recent chronology

Abstract

Abstract We present an integrated geomagnetic polarity and geologic time scale for the Jurassic to Recent interval, encompassing the age range of the modern ocean floor. The time scale is based on the most recent bio-, magneto-, and radiochronologic data available. The biostratigraphic bases for Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Cenozoic time-scales are discussed extensively elsewhere (e.g., Gradstein, this volume; Van Hinte, 1976b; Hardenbol and Berggren, 1978; Berggren and Van Couvering, 1974; Van Couvering and Berggren, 1977). Emphasis is placed here on magnetochronology and its integration with biochronology in the derivation of an internally consistent geologic time scale. The binary signal of normal and reversed geomagnetic polarity has little intrinsic absolute time value (ordinal scale), but it can be used to measure time according to its radiochronologic calibration (cardinal scale). The standard magnetic reversal sequence has a correlatable, characteristic pattern and is demonstrated to be continuous from numerous marine magnetic anomaly profiles from the world ocean. The reversal sequence is recorded by lateral accretion in sea-floor spreading and vertical accumulation in sedimentary or lava sections, allowing independent checks on the completeness and relative spacing of the reversal sequence as well as the opportunity to apply an assortment of geochronologic data for calibration. Although different phenomena and assumptions are invoked in their derivation, both magneto- and bio- chronologic time estimates involve indirect assessment according to calculated rates of sea-floor spreading, sedimentation, and biotic evolution. These extend the application of the relatively few reliable radiometric dates available, so that a continuous