Triassic biochronology: State of the art and main problems

Abstract

According to known resolution of the IUGS, the International Stratigraphic Commission entrusted its subcommissions with a task to prepare proposals for the official approval of boundaries between Phanerozoic stages. Specially organized working groups were later renamed as special teams for seeking the Global Stratotype Sections and Points (GSSP) for these boundaries. In 2001, the GSSP of lower boundary for the Induan Stage, the basal one in the Triassic System, was officially approved to be in the Meishan section of southern China. The selection appeared to be lame, because the Permian-Triassic boundary layers of the stratotype section are lacking ammonoids. As a result, this boundary is now based only on the first occurrence level (FO) of conodont species Hindeodus parvus. Soon, the proposal of Chinese paleontologists to consider the western Pingdingshan section in the Anhui Province as the GSSP for the lower boundary of the Olenekian Stage may win the official recognition. This boundary between the Olenekian and Anisian stages, which is placed at the FO of conodont species Neospathodus waageni is the least debatable. The Mt. Desli Caira section in northern Dobrogea (Romania) is most appropriate for its global stratotype. In contrast, the Anisian-Ladinian boundary appeared to be most disputable. The Subcommission on Triassic Stratigraphy should select one of three GSSP candidates proposed. The lower Carnian boundary traditionally drawn at the aon Zone base suffered some changes. It is proposed to place it at the FO of the ammonoid genus Daxatina with the GSSP in the Dolomites of Italy. The Norian and Rhaetian boundaries are under discussion.