ABSTRACT

Stratigraphic terminology is the language of stratigraphy and with the increasing need for communication between geologists all over the world it becomes more and more essential to have uniformity in stratigraphic terminology. The stratigraphic terms which we use are principally those needed to designate the units which it is helpful to employ in grouping strata according to each of the many different attributes which they may possess and according to which they may be classified.

Simplicity and clarity are essential to any system of classification and terminology which may hope to attain widespread and uniform usage, and these may be achieved readily if the concepts behind each classificatory category are clearly defined and recognized. It is particularly important that a clear distinction be maintained between the units of objective categories (those based directly on physically discernible or physically measurable rock features such as lithology, fossil content, etc.) and the unit of subjective categories (those derived indirectly through interpretation of evidence supplied by the directly observable features with regard to geologic age, environment of depositions, etc.). Equally important is the designation of type or reference for all kinds of stratigraphic units, without which there is no common base of reference between different workers.

A simple system of classification and terminology is here presented which it is believed allows adequate and unambiguous expression of most useful stratigraphic concepts without need for the complexity of new stratigraphic terms which have been introduced recently into the literature.